Information processing system, information processing device, controller device and accessory

ABSTRACT

An example information processing system includes a computer device comprising a housing, a display on a front surface of the housing, and processing circuitry configured to generate images; and first and second controllers each configured for detachable attachment to first and second different side surfaces of the housing of the computer device. The computer device is configured to receive signals from the first and second controllers both when the first and second controllers are attached to the computer device and when the first and second controllers are detached from the computer device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/179,022, filed Jun. 10, 2016, which claims priority to JapanesePatent Application No. 2015-119707 filed on Jun. 12, 2015. The contentsof each of these applications are incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety.

FIELD

The present technique relates to an information processing system, aninformation processing device, a controller device and an accessory.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

There are conventional portable information processing devices includinga display section and an operation section.

Desirably, an information processing device can be used in differentmodes.

Thus, the present application discloses an information processing devicethat can be used in different modes. Also, the present applicationdiscloses a novel information processing device.

An example information processing system described herein includes amain unit, a first controller device and a second controller device. Themain unit includes a display. The first controller device is configuredto be removably attached to the main unit, and the first controllerdevice is configured to transmit first operation data representing anoperation performed on the first controller device to the main unit,irrespective of whether the first controller device is attached to themain unit. The second controller device is configured to be removablyattached to the main unit, and the second controller device isconfigured to transmit second operation data representing an operationperformed on the second controller device to the main unit, irrespectiveof whether the second controller device is attached to the main unit.The main unit is configured to display, on the display, an executionresult of an information process based on the first operation datatransmitted from the first controller device and the second operationdata transmitted from the second controller device.

The first controller device may include a first input section and asecond input section. The second controller device may include a thirdinput section of the same type as the first input section and a fourthinput section of the same type as the second input section.

The first input section may have substantially the same input mechanismas the third input section. The second input section may havesubstantially the same input mechanism as the fourth input section.

The first input section may have substantially the same shape as thethird input section. The second input section may have substantially thesame shape as the fourth input section.

When the first controller device and the second controller device aredetached from the main unit, a positional relationship between the firstinput section and the second input section of the first controllerdevice placed in a predetermined orientation may be the same as apositional relationship between the third input section and the fourthinput section of the second controller device placed in a predeterminedorientation.

When the first controller device and the second controller device areattached to the main unit, a positional relationship between the firstinput section and the second input section may be opposite from apositional relationship between the third input section and the fourthinput section.

The first input section and the third input section may each be adirectional input section configured to accept a directional input.

The directional input section may include an operation member configuredto be tilted or slid in a predetermined direction.

The second input section and the fourth input section may each be abutton which can be pressed.

The first controller device may be configured to be integrally attachedto the main unit with a predetermined surface of a housing of the firstcontroller device facing a predetermined surface of the main unit.

The first controller device may be configured to be integrally attachedto the main unit so as to be facing one of a left side surface and aright side surface of the main unit. The second controller device may beconfigured to be attached to the main unit so as to be facing the otherone of the left side surface and the right side surface of the mainunit.

The first controller device may include a light-emitting portion on thepredetermined surface for notifying a user of predetermined information.

The first controller device may include an operation section on thepredetermined surface.

A connecting portion between a first side surface of four side surfacesof the first controller device and a side surface adjacent to the firstside surface may have a more rounded shape than a connecting portionbetween a second side surface of the four side surfaces, which isopposite from the first side surface, and a side surface adjacent to thesecond side surface. A connecting portion between a third side surfaceof four side surfaces of the second controller device and a side surfaceadjacent to the third side surface may have a more rounded shape than aconnecting portion between a fourth side surface of the four sidesurfaces, which is opposite from the third side surface, and a sidesurface adjacent to the fourth side surface.

The first controller device may be attached to the main unit with thesecond side surface of the first controller device facing a fifth sidesurface of four side surfaces of the main unit. The second controllerdevice may be attached to the main unit with the fourth side surface ofthe second controller device facing a sixth side surface, which isopposite from the fifth side surface, of the main unit.

The second controller device may include an input section having a firstfunction, the first controller device not having the first function.

The second controller device may include an image-capturing device as aninput section having the first function.

The second controller device may include a button as an input sectionhaving the first function.

The first controller device may include an input section having a secondfunction different from the first function. The second controller devicemay include an input section having the second function.

The first controller device may include one or more input section havinga predetermined number of types of functions. The second controllerdevice may include one or more input section having a number of types offunctions, the number being different from the predetermined number.

Communication between the main unit and the first controller device whenthe first controller device is attached to the main unit may use a firstcommunication scheme, and communication between the main unit and thefirst controller device when the first controller device is detachedfrom the main unit may use a second communication scheme different fromthe first communication scheme.

Communication between the main unit and the first controller device whenthe first controller device is detached from the main unit may bewireless communication.

Communication between the main unit and the first controller device whenthe first controller device is attached to the main unit may be wiredcommunication.

The wired communication between the main unit and the first controllerdevice is communication through a wired communication channel formed byan electrical connection a first terminal of the main unit and a secondterminal of the first controller device.

When the first controller device is attached to the main unit, a firstterminal of the main unit and a second terminal of the first controllerdevice may be electrically connected to each other, and communicationbetween the main unit and the first controller device and power supplyfrom the main unit to the first controller device may be implementedthrough the first terminal and the second terminal.

The information processing system may include: a first sensor configuredto sense attachment of the first controller device to the main unit; anda second sensor configured to sense attachment of the second controllerdevice to the main unit. The main unit may register, as a set, the firstcontroller device and a second controller device based on a sensingresult from the first sensor and the sensing result from the secondsensor.

When a first controller device and a second controller device are bothattached to the main unit, the main unit may register, as a set, thefirst controller device and the second controller device attachedthereto.

If operation data is received from each of a first controller device anda second controller device registered as a set, with the firstcontroller device and the second controller device detached from themain unit, the main unit may execute a predetermined information processusing the two received operation data as a set.

The main unit may include a housing including a first engagement portionconfigured for engagement with a housing of the first controller devicewhen the first controller device is attached to the main unit, and asecond engagement portion configured for engagement with a housing ofthe second controller device when the second controller device isattached to the main unit.

The first controller device may include a housing including a thirdengagement portion configured for engagement with the first engagementportion of the main unit. The second controller device may include ahousing including a fourth engagement portion configured for engagementwith the second engagement portion of the main unit.

The main unit may selectively output an execution result of theinformation process either to the display or to a display deviceseparate from the main unit.

Another example information processing device described herein includesa first attachment and detachment mechanism, a second attachment anddetachment mechanism and a display. The first attachment and detachmentmechanism is configured to be removably attached to a first controllerdevice thereto. The second attachment and detachment mechanism isconfigured to be removably attached of a second controller devicethereto. The information processing device displays a result of aninformation process based on operation data transmitted from the firstcontroller device and the second controller device on the display,irrespective of whether the first controller device and the secondcontroller device are attached to the information processing device.

Another example information processing system described herein includesa main unit and a first controller device.

The main unit includes: a display; and a housing including a mainunit-side engagement portion configured for engagement with a housing ofthe first controller device. The first controller device is configuredto be removably attached to the main unit by means of the main unit-sideengagement portion.

The first controller device may include a housing including a controllerdevice-side engagement portion configured for engagement with the mainunit-side engagement portion.

The main unit-side engagement portion may include a first slide memberincluding a surface of the housing of the main unit. The firstcontroller device may include a second slide member configured forslidable and detachable engagement with the first slide member. Thefirst slide member and the second slide member may together comprise aslide mechanism.

The first slide member may be configured for slidable engagement withthe second slide member in a predetermined direction, and the firstslide member may be configured to allow the second slide member to beinserted into and detached from the first slide member via one end ofthe first slide member in the predetermined direction.

The first slide member may be including an up-down direction of the mainunit and may be configured to allow the second slide member to beinserted into and detached from the first slide member via an upper endof the first slide member.

The first slide member may be configured to extend generally over anentirety of a surface of the housing of the main unit in a predetermineddirection.

The first slide member may have a C-shaped cross section. The secondslide member may have a T-shaped cross section.

The first controller device may include a terminal for communicatingwith the main unit. The main unit may include a terminal on the housingthereof at such a location to allow the terminal to be connected to theterminal of the first controller device when the first controller deviceis attached to the main unit.

The first controller device may include an input section on thepredetermined surface.

Another example information processing system described herein includesa main unit and a controller device configured to be removably attachedto the main unit. The main unit includes a display. Communicationbetween the main unit and the controller device when the controllerdevice is attached to the main unit may use a first communicationscheme. Communication between the main unit and the controller devicewhen the controller device is detached from the main unit may use asecond communication scheme different from the first communicationscheme.

The first communication scheme may be wired communication.

When the controller device is attached to the main unit, the firstterminal of the main unit and the second terminal of the controllerdevice may be electrically connected to each other via contact.

The second communication scheme may be wireless communication.

Another example information processing system described herein includesa main unit, a first controller device, a second controller device andan accessory. The first controller device is configured to be removablyattached to the main unit and to be removably attached to the accessory.The second controller device is configured to be removably attached tothe main unit and to be removably attached to the accessory. The mainunit includes a display and displays, on the display, an executionresult of an information process based on an operation performed on thefirst controller device and the second controller device. The accessoryis configured to be attached of the first controller device and thesecond controller device thereto at the same time.

The accessory may include a charging control section configured to usepower supplied to the accessory to charge one or both of the firstcontroller device and the second controller device attached to theaccessory.

The first controller device may be configured to be attached to theaccessory on a left side of a center of the accessory. The secondcontroller device may be configured to be attached to the accessory on aright side of the center of the accessory.

The accessory may include a first grip portion on a left side of acenter of the accessory and a second grip portion on a right side of thecenter of the accessory.

The first grip portion may be on a left side of an area where the firstcontroller device is attached. The second grip portion may be on a rightside of an area where the second controller device is attached.

When the first controller device is attached to the accessory,communication between the main unit and the first controller device maybe wireless communication. When the second controller device is attachedto the accessory, communication between the main unit and the secondcontroller device may be wireless communication.

The first controller device may be configured to be attached to theaccessory with a tilt in a first direction from a reference attitude.The second controller device may be configured to be attached to theaccessory with a tilt in a direction opposite to the first directionfrom a reference attitude.

When at least one of the first controller device and the secondcontroller device is attached to the accessory, the main unit mayexecute the information process while modifying operation data obtainedfrom the at least one controller device attached to the accessory and/ormodifying information obtained based on the operation data.

The main unit may be configured to modify data from a directional inputsection, of all the operation data.

An example accessory described herein is an accessory to which a firstcontroller device and a second controller device are removablyattachable.

The first controller device is configured to be removably attached to amain unit separate from the accessory. The second controller device isconfigured to be removably attached to the main unit. The main unitincludes a display and is configured to display, on the display, anexecution result of an information process based on an operationperformed on the first controller device and the second controllerdevice. The accessory includes: a first engagement portion configuredfor detachable engagement with the first controller device; and a secondengagement portion configured for detachable engagement with the secondcontroller device.

An example game system described herein includes a main unit, a firstcontroller device and a second controller device. The main unit includesa display. The first controller device is configured to be removablyattached to the main unit. The second controller device is configured tobe removably attached to the main unit. At least when the firstcontroller device and the second controller device are detached from themain unit, each of the first controller device and the second controllerdevice transmits, to the main unit, via wireless communication,operation data representing an operation performed thereon.

An example information processing device described herein is a hand-heldinformation processing device. The information processing deviceincludes a main section including a display, a first controller sectionand a second controller section, and the information processing deviceis configured to perform a information process in response to anoperation performed on either the first controller section or the secondcontroller section. The first controller section is configured to beremovably attached to the main section. The second controller section isconfigured to be removably attached to the main section. When the firstcontroller section and the second controller section are detached fromthe main section, the main unit is configured to perform the informationprocess based on operation data representing an operation performed onat least one of the first controller section and the second controllersection, and displays a result of the information process on thedisplay.

When the first controller section and the second controller section areattached to the main section, the first controller section can beoperated by one hand of a user and the second controller section can beoperated by the other hand of the user.

The present specification also discloses an example of an informationprocessing device, a controller device or an accessory of theinformation processing system. The present specification also disclosesan example of a method to be carried out in the information processingsystem. The present specification also discloses an example of acomputer-readable storage medium storing therein an informationprocessing program which causes a computer to execute some of theprocesses to be executed on the information processing system or theinformation processing device (in other words, causes a computer tofunction as some of the various units of the information processingsystem or the information processing device).

With the information processing system, the information processingdevice and the accessory set forth above, an information processingdevice and/or an information processing system can be used in differentmodes.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example information processing deviceaccording to the present embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example where controllers are detachedfrom a main unit;

FIG. 3 is a six-sided view showing an example main unit;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example where the main unit is placedupright;

FIG. 5 is a six-sided view showing an example left controller;

FIG. 6 is a six-sided view showing an example right controller;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of how a left rail member and aslider engage with each other;

FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b) are diagrams showing an example of how the slider islocked to the left rail member;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an exampleinformation processing system according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an examplecradle;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example internal configuration ofthe main unit;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example internal configuration ofthe information processing device;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example internal configuration ofthe cradle;

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of how the informationprocessing device is used with the controllers attached to the mainunit;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a single user holding twocontrollers to use the information processing device in a detachedstate;

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of two users each holding onecontroller to use the information processing device in a detached state;

FIGS. 17(a) and 17(b) are diagrams showing example modes of use wherethree or more controllers are used;

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example mode of use where the image isdisplayed on a TV;

FIGS. 19(a), 19(b), 19(c) and 19(d) are diagrams showing an exampleoperation flow where the image is displayed on a TV;

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing an example flow of a registrationprocess executed on the main unit;

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of registration information;

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of pairing information;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing an example flow of a wireless settingprocess executed on the main unit;

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing an example flow of a mode settingprocess executed on the main unit;

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing an example flow of an informationprocess executed on the main unit;

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing an example flow of an informationprocess executed on the main unit;

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing an example flow of an informationprocess executed on the main unit;

FIG. 28 is a diagram showing another example left controller;

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing another example left controller;

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example information processing devicewith a right controller different from that of FIG. 1 attached thereto;

FIG. 31 is a diagram showing an example accessory to which controllerscan be attached;

FIG. 32 is a diagram showing another example accessory; and

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example accessory to which the main unitcan be attached.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF NON-LIMITING EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

An information processing system, an information processing device, acontroller device and an accessory according to an example of thepresent embodiment will now be described. In the present embodiment, theinformation processing system includes an information processing device1 and a cradle 5 (see FIG. 9). The information processing device 1 ofthe present embodiment includes a main unit 2 and controllers 3 and 4,which can be attached to and detached from each other, and thecontrollers 3 and 4 can be used separately from the main unit 2 (seeFIG. 2). The information processing device 1 can be used both in a modeof use in which the image is displayed on the main unit 2 and in anothermode of use in which the image is displayed on a separate display devicesuch as a TV. The information processing device 1 is used as a portabledevice (e.g., a portable game device) in the former mode, and theinformation processing device 1 is used as a console-type device (e.g.,a console-type game device) in the latter mode.

[1. External Configuration of System]

[1-1. Configuration of Information Processing Device]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example information processing device 1according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the informationprocessing device 1 includes a main unit 2, a left controller 3 and aright controller 4. The main unit 2, including a display 12, executesvarious processes of the information processing device 1. Thecontrollers 3 and 4 each include an operation section allowing a user toprovide an input.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example where the controllers 3 and 4 aredetached from the main unit 2. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, thecontrollers 3 and 4 can be attached to and detached from the main unit2. The left controller 3 can be attached to the left side of the mainunit 2 (the x-axis positive direction side shown in FIG. 1). The rightcontroller 4 can be attached to the right side of the main unit 2 (thex-axis negative direction side shown in FIG. 1). Note that the leftcontroller and the right controller may be referred to generally as“controllers”. A specific example configuration of the main unit 2 andthe controllers 3 and 4 will now be described.

[1-1-1. Configuration of Main Unit]

FIG. 3 is a six-sided view showing an example main unit. As shown inFIG. 3, the main unit 2 includes a generally plate-shaped housing 11. Inthe present embodiment, the primary surface (in other words, thefront-side surface, i.e., the surface on which the display 12 isprovided) of the housing 11 has a generally rectangular shape. In thepresent embodiment, the housing 11 has a horizontally-elongated shape.That is, in the present embodiment, the longitudinal direction of theprimary surface of the housing 11 (i.e., the x-axis direction shown inFIG. 1) is denoted as the horizontal direction (also referred to as theleft-right direction), the width direction of the primary surface (i.e.,the y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1) is denoted as the verticaldirection (also referred to as the up-down direction), and the directionperpendicular to the primary surface (i.e., the z-axis direction shownin FIG. 1) is denoted as the depth direction (also referred to as thefront-rear direction). Note that the main unit 2 may be used in alandscape position or may be used in a portrait position.

Note that there is no particular limitation on the shape and the size ofthe housing 11. For example, in other embodiments, the housing 11 mayinclude a projection or a grip portion for making it easier for a userto hold the device.

(Elements Provided on Primary Surface of Housing 11)

As shown in FIG. 3, the main unit 2 includes the display 12 provided onthe primary surface of the housing 11. The display 12 displays an image(which may be a still image or a video image) obtained or produced bythe main unit 2. While the display 12 is assumed to be a liquid crystaldisplay device (LCD) in the present embodiment, it may be any type of adisplay device.

The main unit 2 includes a touch panel 13 on the screen of the display12. In the present embodiment, the touch panel 13 is of a type (e.g.,the capacitive type) that enables a multi-touch input. Note however thatthere is no particular limitation on the type of the touch panel 13, andthe touch panel 13 may be of a type (e.g., the resistive type) thatenables a single-touch input, for example.

The main unit 2 includes a speaker (i.e., a speaker 88 shown in FIG. 11)inside the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 3, speaker holes 11 a and 11 bare formed in the primary surface of the housing 11. Output sounds fromthe speaker 88 are output through these speaker holes 11 a and 11 b. Inthe present embodiment, the main unit 2 includes two speakers, andspeaker holes are located respectively for the left speaker and theright speaker. The speaker hole 11 a for the left speaker is formed in aleft portion of the display 12. The speaker hole 11 b for the rightspeaker is formed in a right portion of the display 12.

The main unit 2 also includes an ambient light sensor (i.e., an ambientlight sensor 94 shown in FIG. 11) inside the housing 11. As shown inFIG. 3, a window portion 14 is provided in the primary surface of thehousing 11 so as to allow light from outside the housing 11 to bereceived by the ambient light sensor 94. The window portion 14 isprovided for example as a transparent member that allows light to passtherethrough, or a filter member that allows light of a predeterminedwavelength that can be sensed by the ambient light sensor 94 to passtherethrough.

Note that there is no particular limitation on the position, the shapeand the number of the speaker holes 11 a and 11 b and the window portion14. For example, in other embodiments, the speaker holes 11 a and 11 bmay be provided on the side surface or the back surface of the housing11. While the window portion 14 is provided on the lower left side ofthe display 12 in the present embodiment, it may be provided in anyother position on the primary surface of the housing 11 or may beprovided on the side surface of the housing 11.

(Elements Provided on Left Side Surface of Housing 11)

As shown in FIG. 3, the main unit 2 includes a left rail member 15 onthe left side surface of the housing 11. The left rail member 15 is amember that allows the left controller 3 to be detachably attached tothe main unit 2. The left rail member 15 is provided so as to extend inthe up-down direction on the left side surface of the housing 11. Theleft rail member 15 has such a shape that can engage with a slider ofthe left controller 3 (i.e., a slider 40 shown in FIG. 5). The left railmember 15 and the slider 40 together form a slide mechanism, the detailsof which will be described later. This slide mechanism allows the leftcontroller 3 to be slidably and detachably attached to the main unit 2.

In the present embodiment, the left rail member 15 has a shape with agroove. In other words, the cross section (specifically, the crosssection perpendicular to the up-down direction) of the left rail member15 is C-shaped. More specifically, the cross section of the left railmember 15 is such that the end portions of the cross section extend inthe outside-to-center direction. Therefore, the slider 40 in engagementwith the left rail member 15 is securely locked so as not to come off inthe direction perpendicular to the sliding direction (in other words,the direction in which the left rail member 15 extends) (see FIG. 7 tobe discussed below).

As shown in FIG. 3, the left rail member 15 is provided with anengagement hole 16. The engagement hole 16 is located so as to face aprojection 41 provided on the slider 40 when the left controller 3 isattached to the main unit 2. There is no particular limitation on thespecific position of the engagement hole 16. In the present embodiment,the engagement hole 16 is provided on the bottom surface of the leftrail member 15 (in other words, the bottom surface of the groove of theleft rail member 15). The engagement hole 16 is shaped so that theprojection (i.e., the projection 41 shown in FIG. 5) can engage with theengagement hole 16. When the left controller 3 is attached to the mainunit 2, the projection 41 is inserted into and engages with theengagement hole 16, thereby locking the left controller 3 to the mainunit 2, the details of which will be described later. Note that in otherembodiments, the left rail member 15 may be provided with a projectionand the slider 40 may be provided with an engagement hole.

The main unit 2 includes a left-side terminal 17. The left-side terminal17 allows the main unit 2 to communicate with the left controller 3 inwired communication. The left-side terminal 17 is located so as to be incontact with the terminal of the left controller 3 (a terminal 42 shownin FIG. 5) when the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2.There is no particular limitation on the specific position of theleft-side terminal 17. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3,the left-side terminal 17 is provided on the bottom surface of the leftrail member 15. In the present embodiment, the left-side terminal 17 isprovided near the lower end on the bottom surface of the left railmember 15. The left-side terminal 17 is provided below the engagementhole 16 (in other words, on the far side with respect to the directionin which the slider 40 is inserted into the left rail member 15).

A stopper 18 is provided on the left side surface of the housing 11. Asshown in FIG. 3, the stopper 18 is provided near the end (in the presentembodiment, near the lower end) of the left rail member 15. The stopper18 is provided inside the groove of the left rail member 15. The stopper18 is provided in order to limit the slide of the slider 40 inengagement with the left rail member 15, the details of which will bedescribed later.

(Elements Provided on Right Side Surface of Housing 11)

As shown in FIG. 3, similar elements to those provided on the left sidesurface of the housing 11 are provided on the right side surface of thehousing 11. That is, the main unit 2 includes a right rail member 19 onthe right side surface of the housing 11. The right rail member 19 isprovided so as to extend in the up-down direction on the right sidesurface of the housing 11. The right rail member 19 has such a shapethat it can engage with a slider of the right controller 4 (i.e., aslider 62 shown in FIG. 6). The right rail member 19 and the slider 62together form a slide mechanism, the details of which will be describedlater. This slide mechanism allows the right controller 4 to be slidablyand detachably attached to the main unit 2.

In the present embodiment, the right rail member 19 has a similar shapeto that of the left rail member 15. That is, the right rail member 19has a shape with a groove whose cross-sectional shape is similar to thatof the left rail member 15. Note however that the right rail member 19does not need to have exactly the same shape as that of the left railmember 15. For example, in other embodiments, the groove of the leftrail member 15 and the groove of the right rail member 19 may differfrom each other in terms of the size and/or the shape so that the slider62 of the right controller 4 cannot engage with the left rail member 15(and/or so that the slider 40 of the left controller 3 cannot engagewith the right rail member 19).

As shown in FIG. 3, the right rail member 19 is provided with anengagement hole 20. The engagement hole 20 is located so as to face aprojection 63 provided on the slider 62 when the right controller 4 isattached to the main unit 2. There is no particular limitation on thespecific position of the engagement hole 20. In the present embodiment,the engagement hole 20 is provided on the bottom surface of the rightrail member 19 (in other words, the bottom surface of the groove of theright rail member 19). The engagement hole 20 is shaped so that theprojection (i.e., the projection 63 shown in FIG. 6) can engage with theengagement hole 20. When the right controller 4 is attached to the mainunit 2, the projection 63 is inserted into and engages with theengagement hole 20, thereby locking the right controller 4 to the mainunit 2, the details of which will be described later. Note that in otherembodiments, the right rail member 19 may be provided with a projectionand the slider 62 with an engagement hole.

The main unit 2 includes a right-side terminal 21. The right-sideterminal 21 allows the main unit 2 to communicate with the rightcontroller 4 in wired communication. The right-side terminal 21 islocated so as to be in contact with the terminal of the right controller4 (a terminal 64 shown in FIG. 6) when the right controller 4 isattached to the main unit 2. There is no particular limitation on thespecific position of the right-side terminal 21. In the presentembodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the right-side terminal 21 is providedon the bottom surface of the right rail member 19. In the presentembodiment, the right-side terminal 21 is provided near the lower end onthe bottom surface of the right rail member 19. The right-side terminal21 is provided below the engagement hole 20 (in other words, on the farside with respect to the direction in which the slider 62 is insertedinto the right rail member 19).

A stopper 22 is provided on the right side surface of the housing 11. Asshown in FIG. 3, the stopper 22 is provided near the end (in the presentembodiment, near the lower end) of the right rail member 19. The stopper22 is provided inside the groove of the right rail member 19. Thestopper 22 is provided in order to limit the slide of the slider 62 inengagement with the right rail member 19, the details of which will bedescribed later.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the housing 11 of themain unit 2 is provided with the left rail member 15 and the right railmember 19. Thus, the housing 11 is configured on the assumption thatcontrollers are attached thereto. Note that there is no particularlimitation on the position, the shape and the size of the rail members15 and 19. For example, in other embodiments, the rail members 15 and 19may be provided on the left and right end portions, respectively, on theprimary surface and/or the reverse surface of the housing 11. There isno particular limitation on the mechanism for allowing the controllers 3and 4 to be detachably attached to the main unit 2, and a slidermechanism different from that of the present embodiment may be used, ora mechanism different from a slider mechanism may be used.

(Elements Provided on Upper Side Surface of Housing 11)

As shown in FIG. 3, the main unit 2 includes a first slot 23. The firstslot 23 is provided on the upper side surface of the housing 11. Thefirst slot 23 is shaped so as to accommodate a storage medium of a firsttype. Note that in the present embodiment, a cover that can beopened/closed is provided for the opening of the first slot 23, and astorage medium of the first type can be inserted into the first slot 23with the cover being open. A storage medium of the first type is, forexample, a dedicated storage medium (e.g., a dedicated memory card) forthe information processing device 1 or other information processingdevices of the same type. The storage medium of the first type is used,for example, for storing data used in the main unit 2 (e.g., applicationsave data, etc.) and/or for storing programs to be executed on the mainunit 2 (e.g., application programs, etc.).

The main unit 2 also includes a power button 28. As shown in FIG. 3, thepower button 28 is provided on the upper side surface of the housing 11.The power button 28 is a button for turning ON/OFF the power of the mainunit 2. Note that in the present embodiment, the power button 28 can beused to switch between the ON mode and the sleep mode. The ON mode is amode in which the screen display of the display 12 is turned on, forexample, and the sleep mode is a mode in which the screen display of thedisplay 12 is turned off, for example. In the sleep mode, in addition to(or instead of) turning off the screen display of the display 12, apredetermined process of the application (e.g., a game process of a gameapplication) may be stopped. When a long-press operation is performed ona power button 28 (specifically, when the power button 28 is held downfor a predetermined period of time or longer), the main unit 2 executesa process of turning ON/OFF the power of the main unit 2. On the otherhand, when a short-press operation is performed on the power button 28(specifically, when the power button 28 is held down for a period oftime that is shorter than the predetermined period of time), the mainunit 2 executes a process of switching between the ON mode and the sleepmode.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the power button 28 canbe used to turn the power ON/OFF and to switch between the ON mode andthe sleep mode. Note that in other embodiments, the main unit 2 may beprovided with a button only for the function of turning the power ON/OFFor only for the function of switching between the ON mode and the sleepmode.

The main unit 2 includes a sound input/output terminal (specifically, anearphone jack) 25. That is, the main unit 2 allows a microphone or anearphone to be attached to the sound input/output terminal 25. As shownin FIG. 3, the sound input/output terminal 25 is provided on the upperside surface of the housing 11.

The main unit 2 includes sound volume buttons 26 a and 26 b. As shown inFIG. 3, the sound volume buttons 26 a and 26 b are provided on the upperside surface of the housing 11. The sound volume buttons 26 a and 26 bare buttons for giving instructions to adjust the volume of the soundoutput from the main unit 2. That is, the sound volume button 26 a is abutton for giving an instruction to lower the sound volume, and thesound volume button 26 b is a button for giving an instruction to raisethe sound volume.

The housing 11 is provided with an air outlet hole 11 c. As shown inFIG. 3, the air outlet hole 11 c is provided on the upper side surfaceof the housing 11. The air outlet hole 11 c is provided so as to radiate(in other words, discharge) the heat generated inside the housing 11 tothe outside of the housing 11.

(Elements Provided on Lower Side Surface of Housing 11)

The main unit 2 includes a lower terminal 27. The lower terminal 27 is aterminal for allowing the main unit 2 to communicate with the cradle 5to be described later. As shown in FIG. 3, the lower terminal 27 isprovided on the lower side surface of the housing 11. The lower terminal27 is connected to a terminal of the cradle 5 (a main body terminal 73shown in FIG. 10) when the main unit 2 is attached to the cradle 5, thedetails of which will be described later. In the present embodiment, thelower terminal 27 is a USB connector (more specifically, a female-sideconnector).

The main unit 2 also includes a second slot 24. In the presentembodiment, the second slot 24 is provided on the lower side surface ofthe housing 11. Note however that in other embodiments, the second slot24 may be provided on the same surface as the first slot 23. The secondslot 24 is shaped so as to accommodate a storage medium of a secondtype, which is different from the first type. Note that in the presentembodiment, a cover that can be opened/closed is provided for theopening of the second slot 24, and a storage medium of the second typecan be inserted into the second slot 24 with the cover being open. Astorage medium of the second type may be, for example, a general-purposestorage medium, e.g., an SD card. As is the storage medium of the firsttype, the storage medium of the second type is used for storing dataused in the main unit 2 (e.g., application save data, etc.) and/or forstoring programs to be executed on the main unit 2 (e.g., applicationprograms, etc.).

The housing 11 is provided with an air inlet hole 11 d. As shown in FIG.3, the air inlet hole 11 d is provided on the lower side surface of thehousing 11. The air inlet hole 11 d is provided so as to take in (inother words, introduce) the air from the outside of the housing 11 tothe inside of the housing 11. In the present embodiment, the air inlethole 11 d is provided on the surface opposite from the surface where theair outlet hole 11 c is provided, thereby allowing for efficientdischarge of the heat from inside the housing 11.

The main unit 2 also includes a stand member 29 used when placing thehousing upright. As shown in FIG. 3, the stand member 29 is provided onthe lower side surface of the housing 11. The stand member 29 isrotatably connected to the housing 11 via a pivot 29 a. In FIG. 3, thestand member 29 is accommodated in the housing 11.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the main unit 2 isplaced upright. Note that in order to facilitate understanding ofelements of interest to be discussed in conjunction with the figure,some of the other elements of the main unit 2 are not shown in FIG. 4.The rod-shaped portion of the stand member 29 protrudes from the housing11 after being rotated about the pivot 29 a. Thus, the stand member 29is brought into a position protruding from the housing 11, allowing themain unit 2 to be placed upright as shown in FIG. 4. Note that themechanism for placing the main unit 2 upright is not limited to thestand member 29 shown in FIG. 3, but may be any other mechanism.

There is no particular limitation on the shape, the number and thearrangement of the various elements (specifically, the buttons, theslots, the terminals, etc.) provided on the housing 11 described above.For example, in other embodiments, some of the power button 28 and theslots 23 and 24 may be provided on another side surface or the backsurface of the housing 11. In other embodiments, some of the elementsdescribed above may be absent on the main unit 2.

[1-1-2. Configuration of Left Controller]

FIG. 5 is a six-sided view showing an example of the left controller 3.As shown in FIG. 5, the left controller 3 includes a generallyplate-shaped housing 31. In the present embodiment, the primary surface(in other words, the front-side surface, i.e., the surface on the z-axisnegative direction side shown in FIG. 1) of the housing 31 has agenerally rectangular shape. In the present embodiment, the housing 31has a vertically-elongated shape, i.e., a shape that is elongated in theup-down direction (i.e., the y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1). Notethat when detached from the main unit 2, the left controller 3 may beheld in a portrait position (see FIG. 18) or may be held in a landscapeposition (see FIG. 16). Note that there is no particular limitation onthe shape of the housing 31, and the housing 31 does not need to begenerally plate-shaped in other embodiments. The housing 31 does notneed to have a rectangular shape, but may have a semi-circular shape, orthe like, for example. The housing 31 does not need to have avertically-elongated shape.

The length of the housing 31 in the up-down direction is generally equalto the length of the housing 11 of the main unit 2 in the up-downdirection. The thickness of the housing 31 (i.e., the length thereof inthe front-rear direction; in other words, the length thereof in thez-axis direction shown in FIG. 1) is generally equal to the thickness ofthe housing 11 of the main unit 2. Therefore, when the left controller 3is attached to the main unit 2 (see FIG. 1), a user can hold the mainunit 2 and the left controller 3 as if they were an integral unit.

As shown in FIG. 5, the left-side corner portion of the primary surfaceof the housing 31 has a more rounded shape than the right-side cornerportion thereof. That is, the connecting portion between the upper sidesurface and the left side surface of the housing 31 and the connectingportion between the lower side surface and the left side surface of thehousing 31 are more rounded (in other words, round-cornered with agreater radius) than the connecting portion between the upper sidesurface and the right side surface and the connecting portion betweenthe lower side surface and the right side surface. Therefore, when theleft controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2 (see FIG. 1), the leftside of the information processing device 1 will have a rounded shape,making it easier for a user to hold the device.

The left controller 3 includes an analog stick 32. As shown in FIG. 5,the analog stick 32 is provided on the primary surface of the housing31. The analog stick 32 is an example of a directional input sectionallowing a user to input a direction. The analog stick 32 includes astick member that can be tilted in any direction (i.e., 360° directionsincluding the upper, lower, left, right and diagonal directions)parallel to the primary surface of the housing 31. A user can tilt thestick member to make a direction input based on the tilt direction (anda magnitude input based on the tilt angle). Note that the directionalinput section may also be a cross-shaped key, a slide stick, or thelike. A slide stick is an input section including a stick member thatcan be slid in any direction parallel to the primary surface of thehousing 31, and a user can slide the stick member to make an input basedon the slide direction (and a magnitude input based on the slideamount). In the present embodiment, a user can also make an input bypressing down the stick member (in a direction vertical to the housing31). That is, the analog stick 32 is an input section that allows a userto make a direction input and a magnitude input based on the tiltdirection and the tilt amount, respectively, of the stick member, andalso to make a push input by pressing down the stick member.

The left controller 3 includes four operation buttons 33 to 36(specifically, a right direction button 33, a lower direction button 34,an upper direction button 35 and a left direction button 36). As shownin FIG. 5, these four operation buttons 33 to 36 are provided below theanalog stick 32 on the primary surface of the housing 31. Note thatwhile four operation buttons are provided on the primary surface of theleft controller 3 in the present embodiment, there is no particularlimitation on the number of operation buttons. These operation buttons33 to 36 are used to give instructions in accordance with variousprograms executed on the main unit 2 (e.g., the OS program andapplication programs). Note that in the present embodiment, theoperation buttons 33 to 36 can be used to make directional inputs, andthe operation buttons 33 to 36 are therefore referred to as the rightdirection button 33, the lower direction button 34, the upper directionbutton 35 and the left direction button 36. Note however that theoperation buttons 33 to 36 may be used to give instructions other thandirectional inputs.

The left controller 3 also includes a record button 37. As shown in FIG.5, the record button 37 is provided on the primary surface of thehousing 31, more specifically, in a lower right area of the primarysurface. The record button 37 is a button for giving an instruction tosave the image displayed on the display 12 of the main unit 2. Forexample, when a game image is displayed on the display 12, a user canpress the record button 37 to save the game image that is displayed atthe point in time when the button is pressed in a storage section of themain unit 2, for example.

The left controller 3 also includes a minus (−) button 47. As shown inFIG. 5, the minus button 47 is provided on the primary surface of thehousing 31, more specifically, in an upper right area of the primarysurface. The minus button 47 is used to give instructions in accordancewith various programs executed on the main unit 2 (e.g., the OS programand application programs). The minus button 47 is used, for example, asa select button (e.g., a button used to move the selection throughdifferent selection items) in game applications.

When the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2, the operationsections provided on the primary surface of the left controller 3(specifically, the analog stick 32 and the buttons 33 to 37 and 47) areoperated with the thumb of the left hand, for example, of a user holdingthe information processing device 1 (see FIG. 14). When the leftcontroller 3 is used detached from the main unit 2, the operationsections are operated with the left and right thumbs, for example, of auser holding the left controller 3 (see FIG. 15). Specifically, in sucha case, the analog stick 32 is operated by the thumb of the left hand ofthe user, and the operation buttons 33 to 36 are operated with the thumbof the right hand of the user.

The left controller 3 includes a first L button 38. The left controller3 also includes a ZL button 39. As are the operation buttons 33 to 36,these operation buttons 38 and 39 are used to give instructions inaccordance with various programs executed on the main unit 2. As shownin FIG. 5, the first L button 38 is provided over a corner portionbetween the left side surface and the upper side surface of the housing31. The ZL button 39 is provided to extend over a corner portion betweenthe left side surface and the upper side surface of the housing 31(strictly speaking, between the left side surface and the upper sidesurface as seen from the front side of the housing 31) while extendinginto the reverse surface of the housing 31. That is, the ZL button 39 isprovided on the rear side (the z-axis positive direction side shown inFIG. 1) of the first L button 38. In the present embodiment, since theupper left corner portion of the housing 31 has a rounded shape, thefirst L button 38 and the ZL button 39 each have a rounded shape inconformity with the rounded shape of the upper left corner portion ofthe housing 31.

When the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2, the first Lbutton 38 and the ZL button 39 will be placed over the upper leftportion of the information processing device 1 (see FIG. 1). Therefore,a user holding the information processing device 1 is allowed to operatethe first L button 38 and the ZL button 39 with the index finger or themiddle finger of the left hand (see FIG. 14).

As shown in FIG. 5, a portion of the reverse surface of the housing 31where the ZL button 39 is provided (more specifically, at least aportion of the perimeter of the ZL button 39) projects past otherportions of the housing 31. The ZL button 39 is provided so as toproject past the other portions of the housing 31 on the reversesurface. Therefore, when the main unit 2 with the left controller 3attached thereto is placed on a flat surface in such an orientation thatthe reverse surface of the left controller 3 faces the horizontal flatsurface, the projecting portions of the housing 31 are in contact withthe flat surface. As a result, the information processing device 1 isplaced so that the upper side of the main unit 2 is slightly raised fromthe lower side thereof. When the information processing device 1 is soplaced, it is easy for a user to see the display 12.

Note that in other embodiments, when the main unit 2 with the leftcontroller 3 attached thereto is placed on a flat surface in such anorientation that the reverse surface of the left controller 3 faces thehorizontal flat surface, the ZL button 39 may be in contact with theflat surface. Now, in the present embodiment, the ZL button 39 can bepressed down primarily in the up-down direction (the y-axis direction).That is, the ZL button 39 is supported on the housing 31 so as to moveprimarily in the up-down direction. Therefore, even if the informationprocessing device 1 is placed so that the ZL button 39 is in contactwith the flat surface as described above, the ZL button 39 is unlikelyto be pressed down because the ZL button 39 primarily receives a forcein the front-rear direction (the z-axis direction). That is, even whenthe information processing device 1 is placed as described above, the ZLbutton 39 is unlikely to be pressed down inadvertently.

In other embodiments, the ZL button 39 may be provided so as not toproject from the reverse surface of the housing 31. For example, the ZLbutton 39 may be provided on the side surface of the housing 31. Forexample, an area of the reverse surface of the housing 31 where the ZLbutton 39 is provided may be sunken from the remaining portion (i.e.,the housing is formed to be thinner in this area) so that the ZL button39 does not project past the remaining portion of the reverse surface.

The left controller 3 includes the slider 40 described above. As shownin FIG. 5, the slider 40 is provided so as to extend in the up-downdirection on the right side surface of the housing 31. The slider 40 hassuch a shape that it can engage with the left rail member 15 (morespecifically, the groove of the left rail member 15) of the main unit 2.Specifically, the cross section (specifically, the cross sectionperpendicular to the up-down direction) of the slider 40 is T-shaped.More specifically, the cross section of the slider 40 is T-shaped inconformity with the cross-sectional shape of the left rail member 15(see FIG. 7). Therefore, the slider 40 in engagement with the left railmember 15 is locked so as not to come off in the direction perpendicularto the sliding direction (in other words, the direction in which theleft rail member 15 extends) (see FIG. 7 to be discussed below).

As shown in FIG. 5, the slider 40 is provided with the projection 41.The projection 41 is arranged at such a position that allows theprojection 41 to be inserted into the engagement hole 16 when the leftcontroller 3 is attached to the main unit 2. There is no particularlimitation on the specific position of the projection 41. In the presentembodiment, the projection 41 is provided on the engaging surface of theslider 40. Note that the engaging surface of the slider 40 refers to asurface that faces the bottom surface of the left rail member 15 whenthe left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2. The projection 41is shaped so that the projection 41 can engage with the engagement hole16 of the left rail member 15.

In the present embodiment, the projection 41 is biased from the insideof the slider 40 toward the outside of the slider 40. Thus, when a forcefrom the outside of the slider 40 toward the inside of the slider 40 isapplied on the projection 41, the projection 41 moves toward the insideof the slider 40 (i.e., retracts into the slider 40). There is noparticular limitation on the configuration for biasing the projection 41as described above. For example, in the present embodiment, theprojection 41 is connected to an elastic member inside the slider 40,and the projection 41 is placed inside a hole in the slider 40 with aportion thereof protruding past the engaging surface of the slider 40.Note that in other embodiments, the projection 41 may be fixed to theslider 40.

The left controller 3 includes the terminal 42 for allowing the leftcontroller 3 to communicate with the main unit 2 in wired communication.The terminal 42 is located so as to be in contact with the left-sideterminal 17 of the main unit 2 (FIG. 3) when the left controller 3 isattached to the main unit 2. There is no particular limitation on thespecific position of the terminal 42. In the present embodiment, asshown in FIG. 5, the terminal 42 is provided on the engaging surface ofthe slider 40. In the present embodiment, the terminal 42 is providednear the lower end on the engaging surface of the slider 40. Theterminal 42 is provided below the projection 41 (in other words, on thefront side with respect to the insertion of the slider 40 into the leftrail member 15).

The left controller 3 also includes a second L button 43 and a second Rbutton 44. As are the other operation buttons 33 to 36, these buttons 43and 44 are used to give instructions in accordance with various programsexecuted on the main unit 2. As shown in FIG. 5, the second L button 43and the second R button 44 are provided on the engaging surface of theslider 40. The second L button 43 is provided on the engaging surface ofthe slider 40 above the center of the engaging surface with respect tothe up-down direction (the y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1). The secondR button 44 is provided on the engaging surface of the slider 40 belowthe center of the engaging surface with respect to the up-downdirection. The second L button 43 and the second R button 44 arearranged at such positions that they cannot be pressed down with theleft controller 3 attached to the main unit 2. That is, the second Lbutton 43 and the second R button 44 are buttons that are used when theleft controller 3 is detached from the main unit 2. For example, thesecond L button 43 and the second R button 44 are operated with theindex finger or the middle finger of the left hand and the right hand ofa user holding the left controller 3 detached from the main unit 2 (seeFIG. 16).

The left controller 3 includes an indicator LED 45. The indicator LED 45is an indicator section for indicating predetermined information to theuser. There is no particular limitation on the information to beindicated by the indicator LED 45. In the present embodiment, theindicator LED 45 shows the user identification information of thecontroller when the main unit 2 communicates with a plurality ofcontrollers. Specifically, as the indicator LED 45, the left controller3 includes a number (herein, four) of LEDs equal to the number ofcontrollers that the main unit 2 can be simultaneously in communicationwith. Then, one of the four LEDs is lit, which is associated with thenumber assigned to the controller. Thus, it is possible with theindicator LED 45 to indicate the number to the user.

In other embodiments, the indicator LED 45 may indicate, to the user,the status of communication between the left controller 3 and the mainunit 2. For example, the indicator LED 45 may be lit while a connectionwith the main unit 2 is established. While the number of LEDs (in otherwords, the light-emitting portions) serving as the indicator LED 45 isfour in the present embodiment, there is no particular limitation on thenumber of LEDs.

In the present embodiment, the indicator LED 45 is provided on theengaging surface of the slider 40 as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, theindicator LED 45 is arranged at such a position that the indicator LED45 cannot be seen when the left controller 3 is attached to the mainunit 2. That is, the indicator LED 45 is used when the left controller 3is detached from the main unit 2.

The left controller 3 includes a pairing button 46. In the presentembodiment, the pairing button 46 is used to give an instruction for asetting (referred to also as pairing) process regarding wirelesscommunication between the left controller 3 and the main unit 2, and togive an instruction for a resetting process of resetting the leftcontroller 3. Note that in other embodiments, the pairing button 46 mayonly serve to instruct one of the setting process and the resettingprocess.

That is, when a short-press operation is performed on the pairing button46 (specifically, when the pairing button 46 is pressed down for ashorter period of time than a predetermined period of time), the leftcontroller 3 executes the setting process. Note that the details of thesetting process will be described later.

When a long-press operation is performed on the pairing button 46(specifically, when the pairing button 46 is held down for thepredetermined period of time or longer), the left controller 3 executesthe resetting process. The resetting process is a process of resettingthe status of the left controller 3, and is a process that should beexecuted, for example, when the left controller 3 freezes (e.g., whenthe main unit 2 is no longer able to obtain data from the leftcontroller 3). Although there is no particular limitation on thespecific details of the resetting process, the resetting process mayinclude, for example, a process of turning OFF the power of the leftcontroller 3 and then turning it back ON, a process of disconnectingwith the main unit 2 and then re-connecting with the main unit 2, aprocess of re-executing a process that is executed when startingcommunication, and/or the setting process. In the present embodiment,even when the left controller 3 freezes for some reason, the leftcontroller 3 can be reset, using the pairing button 46, to an operativestate.

In the present embodiment, the pairing button 46 is provided on theengaging surface of the slider 40 as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the pairingbutton 46 is arranged at such a position that the pairing button 46cannot be seen when the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit2. That is, the pairing button 46 is used when the left controller 3 isdetached from the main unit 2. In the present embodiment, it is assumedthat the pairing button 46 is pressed down when the left controller 3 isdetached from the main unit 2, and that the pairing button 46 willunlikely be pressed down when the left controller 3 is attached to themain unit 2. Thus, the pairing button 46 is arranged at such a position,thereby preventing the pairing button 46 from being operated in errorwhen the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2.

Note that in the present embodiment, the buttons provided on theengaging surface of the slider 40 (specifically, the second L button 43,the second R button 44 and the pairing button 46) are provided so as notto protrude past the engaging surface. That is, the upper surface (inother words, the surface to be pressed) of these buttons is arrangedflush with the engaging surface of the slider 40 or arranged at aposition sunken from the engaging surface. This allows the slider 40 toslide smoothly against the left rail member 15 when the slider 40 isengaged with the left rail member 15 of the main unit 2.

[1-1-3. Configuration of Right Controller]

FIG. 6 is a six-sided view showing an example of the right controller 4.As shown in FIG. 6, the right controller 4 includes a generallyplate-shaped housing 51. In the present embodiment, the primary surface(in other words, the front-side surface, i.e., the surface on the z-axisnegative direction side shown in FIG. 1) of the housing 51 has agenerally rectangular shape. In the present embodiment, the housing 51has a vertically-elongated shape, i.e., a shape that is elongated in theup-down direction. Note that when detached from the main unit 2, theright controller 4 may be held in a portrait position (see FIG. 18) ormay be held in a landscape position (see FIG. 16).

As with the housing 31 of the left controller 3, the length of thehousing 51 of the right controller 4 in the up-down direction isgenerally equal to the length of the housing 11 of the main unit 2 inthe up-down direction, and the thickness thereof is generally equal tothe thickness of the housing 11 of the main unit 2. Therefore, when theright controller 4 is attached to the main unit 2 (see FIG. 1), a usercan hold the main unit 2 and the right controller 4 as if they were anintegral unit.

As shown in FIG. 6, the right-side corner portion of the primary surfaceof the housing 51 has a more rounded shape than the left-side cornerportion thereof. That is, the connecting portion between the upper sidesurface and the right side surface of the housing 51 and the connectingportion between the lower side surface and the right side surface of thehousing 51 are more rounded (in other words, round-cornered with agreater radius) than the connecting portion between the upper sidesurface and the left side surface and the connecting portion between thelower side surface and the left side surface. Therefore, when the rightcontroller 4 is attached to the main unit 2 (see FIG. 1), the right sideof the information processing device 1 will have a rounded shape, makingit easier for a user to hold the device.

As does the left controller 3, the right controller 4 includes an analogstick 52 as the directional input section. In the present embodiment,the analog stick 52 has the same configuration as the analog stick 32 ofthe left controller 3. As does the left controller 3, the rightcontroller 4 includes four operation buttons 53 to 56 (specifically, theA button 53, the B button 54, the X button 55 and the Y button 56). Inthe present embodiment, these four operation buttons 53 to 56 are of thesame mechanism as the four operation buttons 33 to 36 of the leftcontroller 3. As shown in FIG. 6, the analog stick 52 and the operationbuttons 53 to 56 are provided on the primary surface of the housing 51.Note that while the number of operation buttons provided on the primarysurface of the right controller 4 is four in the present embodiment,there is no particular limitation on the number of operation buttons.

In the present embodiment, the positional relationship between the twotypes of operation sections (the analog stick and the operation buttons)of the right controller 4 is opposite from the positional relationshipbetween these two types of operation sections of the left controller 3.That is, the analog stick 52 is arranged above the operation buttons 53to 56 on the right controller 4, whereas the analog stick 32 is arrangedbelow the operation buttons 33 to 36 on the left controller 3. With suchan arrangement, the left and right controllers 3 and 4, when detachedfrom the main unit 2, can be operated in a similar fashion, the detailsof which will be described later.

The right controller 4 also includes a plus (+) button 57. As shown inFIG. 6, the plus button 57 is provided on the primary surface of thehousing 51, more specifically, in an upper left area of the primarysurface. As are the other operation buttons 53 to 56, the plus button 57is used to give instructions in accordance with various programsexecuted on the main unit 2 (e.g., the OS program and applicationprograms). The plus button 57 is used, for example, as a start button ina game application (e.g., a button used to give an instruction to startthe game).

The right controller 4 includes a home button 58. As shown in FIG. 6,the home button 58 is provided on the primary surface of the housing 51,more specifically, in a lower left area of the primary surface. The homebutton 58 is a button for displaying a predetermined menu screen on thedisplay 12 of the main unit 2. The menu screen is, for example, a screenwhere a user can launch an application specified by the user, from amonga plurality of applications that can be executed on the main unit 2. Themenu screen may be displayed at the start-up of the main unit 2, forexample. In the present embodiment, a predetermined control screen maybe displayed on the display 12 (the menu screen may be displayed insteadof the control screen) when the home button 58 is pressed while anapplication is executed on the main unit 2 (i.e., while the image of theapplication is displayed on the display 12). Note that the controlscreen is, for example, a screen where a user can give an instruction toend an application and display the menu screen on the display 12, and aninstruction to resume an application, etc.

The operation sections provided on the primary surface of the rightcontroller 4 (specifically, the analog stick 52 and the buttons 53 to59) are operated with the thumb of the right hand, for example, of auser holding the information processing device 1 when the rightcontroller 4 is attached to the main unit 2 (see FIG. 14). When theright controller 4 is used detached from the main unit 2, the operationsections are operated with the left and right thumbs, for example, of auser holding the right controller 4 (see FIG. 15). Specifically, in sucha case, the analog stick 52 is operated with the thumb of the left handof the user, and the operation buttons 53 to 56 are operated with thethumb of the right hand of the user.

The right controller 4 includes a first R button 60. The rightcontroller 4 includes a ZR button 61. As shown in FIG. 6, the first Rbutton 60 is provided over a corner portion between the right sidesurface and the upper side surface of the housing 51. The ZR button 61is provided to extend over a corner portion between the right sidesurface and the upper side surface of the housing 51 (strictly speaking,between the right side surface and the upper side surface as seen fromthe front side of the housing 51) while extending into the reversesurface of the housing 51. That is, the ZR button 61 is provided on therear side (the z-axis positive direction side shown in FIG. 1) of thefirst R button 60. In the present embodiment, since the upper rightcorner portion of the housing 51 has a rounded shape, the first R button60 and the ZR button 61 each have a rounded shape in conformity with therounded shape of the upper right portion of the housing 51.

When the right controller 4 is attached to the main unit 2, the first Rbutton 60 and the ZR button 61 will be placed over the upper rightportion of the information processing device 1 (see FIG. 1). Therefore,a user holding the information processing device 1 is allowed to operatethe first R button 60 and the ZR button 61 with the index finger or themiddle finger of the right hand (see FIG. 15).

As shown in FIG. 6, the ZR button 61 of the right controller 4 isprovided so as to project from the housing 51, as is the ZL button 39 ofthe left controller 3. That is, a portion of the reverse surface of thehousing 51 where the ZR button 61 is provided (more specifically, atleast a portion of the perimeter of the ZR button 61) projects past theremaining portion of the housing 51. The ZR button 61 is provided so asto project past the remaining portion of the housing 51 on the reversesurface. Therefore, when the right controller 4 is attached to the mainunit 2, as is the case when the left controller 3 is attached to themain unit 2, when the main unit 2 is placed on a flat surface in such anorientation that the reverse surface of the right controller 4 faces thehorizontal flat surface, the projecting portions of the housing 51 arein contact with the flat surface. As a result, the main unit 2 is placedso that the upper side thereof is slightly raised from than the lowerside thereof, and it is therefore easy for a user to see the display 12.

Note that in the present embodiment, as with the ZL button 39 of theleft controller 3, the ZR button 61 of the right controller 4 can bepressed down primarily in the up-down direction (the y-axis direction).Therefore, as with the ZL button 39, the ZR button 61 is unlikely to bepressed down when the information processing device 1 is placed so thatthe ZR button 61 is in contact with a flat surface. Thus, the ZR button61 is unlikely to be pressed in error. Note that in other embodiments,the housing 51 may be formed so that the reverse surface of the housing51 projects past the ZR button 61. In other embodiments, as is the ZLbutton 39 of the left controller 3, the ZR button 61 may be formed so asnot to project from the reverse surface of the housing 51.

In the present embodiment, the shape of the first L button 38 and theshape of the first R button 60 are not in left-right symmetry, and theshape of the ZL button 39 and the shape of the ZR button 61 are not inleft-right symmetry. Note however that in other embodiments, the shapeof the first L button 38 and the shape of the first R button 60 may bein left-right symmetry, and the shape of the ZL button 39 and the shapeof the ZR button 61 may be in left-right symmetry.

The right controller 4 includes a similar slider mechanism to that ofthe left controller 3. That is, the right controller 4 includes theslider 62 described above. As shown in FIG. 6, the slider 62 is providedso as to extend in the up-down direction on the left side surface of thehousing 51. The slider 62 has such a shape that it can engage with theright rail member 19 (more specifically, the groove of the right railmember 19) of the main unit 2. Specifically, the cross section(specifically, the cross section perpendicular to the up-down direction)of the slider 62 is T-shaped. More specifically, the cross section ofthe slider 62 is T-shaped in conformity with the cross-sectional shapeof the right rail member 19 (see FIG. 7). Therefore, the slider 62 inengagement with the right rail member 19 is locked so as not to come offin the direction perpendicular to the sliding direction (in other words,the direction in which the right rail member 19 extends) (see FIG. 7).

The slider 62 is provided with the projection 63. The projection 63 isarranged at such a position that allows the projection 63 to be insertedinto the engagement hole 20 when the right controller 4 is attached tothe main unit 2. There is no particular limitation on the specificposition of the projection 63. In the present embodiment, the projection63 is provided on the engaging surface of the slider 62. Note that theengaging surface of the slider 62 refers to a surface that faces thebottom surface of the right rail member 19 when the right controller 4is attached to the main unit 2. The projection 63 is shaped so that theprojection 63 can engage with the engagement hole 20 of the right railmember 19.

In the present embodiment, as is the projection 41 of the leftcontroller 3, the projection 63 of the right controller 4 is biased fromthe inside of the slider 62 toward the outside of the slider 62. Thus,when a force from the outside of the slider 62 toward the inside of theslider 62 is applied on the projection 63, the projection 63 movestoward the inside of the slider 62 (i.e., retracts into the slider 62).Note that there is no particular limitation on the configuration forbiasing the projection 63 as described above, and it may be a similarconfiguration to the projection 41 of the left controller 3.

The right controller 4 includes the terminal 64 for allowing the rightcontroller 4 to communicate with the main unit 2 in wired communication.The terminal 64 is located so as to be in contact with the right-sideterminal 21 of the main unit 2 (FIG. 3) when the right controller 4 isattached to the main unit 2. There is no particular limitation on thespecific position of the terminal 64. In the present embodiment, asshown in FIG. 6, the terminal 64 is provided on the engaging surface ofthe slider 62. In the present embodiment, the terminal 64 is providednear the lower end on the engaging surface of the slider 62. Theterminal 64 is provided below the projection 63 (in other words, on thefront side with respect to the insertion of the slider 62 into the rightrail member 19).

As does the left controller 3, the right controller 4 also includes asecond L button 65 and a second R button 66. As are the operationbuttons 53 to 56, these buttons 65 and 66 are used to give instructionsin accordance with various programs executed on the main unit 2. Asshown in FIG. 6, the second L button 65 and the second R button 66 areprovided on the engaging surface of the slider 62. The second L button65 is provided on the engaging surface of the slider 62 below the centerof the engaging surface with respect to the up-down direction (they-axis direction shown in FIG. 1). The second R button 66 is provided onthe engaging surface of the slider 62 above the center of the engagingsurface with respect to the up-down direction. As are the second Lbutton 43 and the second R button 44 of the left controller 3, thesecond L button 65 and the second R button 66 are arranged at suchpositions that they cannot be pressed down with the right controller 4attached to the main unit 2, and they are buttons that are used when theright controller 4 is detached from the main unit 2. For example, thesecond L button 65 and the second R button 66 are operated with theindex finger or the middle finger of the left hand and the right hand ofa user holding the right controller 4 detached from the main unit 2 (seeFIG. 16).

The right controller 4 includes an indicator LED 67. As is the indicatorLED 45 of the left controller 3, the indicator LED 67 is an indicatorsection for indicating predetermined information to the user. As doesthe left controller 3, the right controller 4 includes four LEDs as theindicator LED 67, and one of the four LEDs is lit, which is associatedwith the number assigned to the right controller 4. In the presentembodiment, as is the indicator LED 45, the indicator LED 67 is providedon the engaging surface of the slider 62 (FIG. 6). Thus, the indicatorLED 67 is arranged at such a position that the indicator LED 67 cannotbe seen with the right controller 4 attached to the main unit 2, and theindicator LED 67 is used when the right controller 4 is detached fromthe main unit 2.

The right controller 4 includes a pairing button 69. As is the pairingbutton 46 of the left controller 3, the pairing button 69 is used togive an instruction for a setting (referred to also as “pairing”)process regarding wireless communication between the right controller 4and the main unit 2, and to give an instruction for a resetting processof resetting the right controller 4. The setting process and theresetting process are the same as those for the left controller 3, andwill not therefore be described in detail below. In the presentembodiment, the pairing button 69 is provided on the engaging surface ofthe slider 62 as shown in FIG. 6. That is, for the same reason for thepairing button 46 of the left controller 3, the pairing button 69 isarranged at such a position that the pairing button 69 cannot be seenwith the right controller 4 attached to the main unit 2.

With the right controller 4, as with the left controller 3, the buttonsprovided on the engaging surface of the slider 62 (specifically, thesecond L button 65, the second R button 66 and the pairing button 69)are provided so as not to protrude past the engaging surface. Thisallows the slider 62 to slide smoothly against the right rail member 19when the slider 62 is engaged with the right rail member 19 of the mainunit 2.

A window portion 68 is provided in the lower side surface of the housing51. The right controller 4 includes an infrared image-capturing section(an infrared image-capturing section 123 shown in FIG. 12), the detailsof which will be described later, to detect a hand movement and/or thegesture, etc., of the user by means of the infrared image-capturingsection 123. The window portion 68 is provided so as to allow the cameraof the infrared image-capturing section 123 arranged inside the housing51 to capture an image around the right controller 4. The window portion68 is provided for protecting the lens of the camera of the infraredimage-capturing section 123, and is made of a material (e.g., atransparent material) that allows light of a wavelength to be detectedby the camera to pass therethrough. Note that the window portion 68 maybe a hole formed in the housing 51. Note that in the present embodiment,the infrared image-capturing section 123 itself has a filter member forsuppressing the transmission therethrough of light of wavelengths otherthan the light (in the present embodiment, infrared light) to bedetected by the camera. Note however that in other embodiments, thewindow portion may have a filter function.

Note that for the controllers 3 and 4, there is no particular limitationon the shape, the number and the arrangement of the various elements(specifically, the slider, the stick, the buttons, the LEDs, etc.)provided on the housing 31 or 51. For example, in other embodiments, thecontrollers 3 and 4 may include a directional input section of adifferent type from an analog stick. The slider 40 or 62 may be arrangedat a position that corresponds to the position of the rail member 15 or19 provided on the main unit 2, and may be, for example, arranged on theprimary surface or the reverse surface of the housing 31 or 51. In otherembodiments, one or more of the various elements described above may beabsent on the controllers 3 and 4.

[1-1-4: Attachment Action]

Next, referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the action of attaching anddetaching a controller to and from the main unit 2 will be described.Note that although the description below is directed to the action ofattaching and detaching the left controller 3 to and from the main unit2, the action of attaching and detaching the right controller 4 to andfrom the main unit 2 can be done in the same manner as the leftcontroller 3.

When the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2, a user firstinserts the lower end of the slider 40 of the left controller 3 into agroove of the left rail member 15 of the main unit 2 via the upper endof the left rail member 15. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example ofhow the left rail member 15 and the slider 40 engage with each other.Note that in order to facilitate understanding of the figure, elementsof the main unit 2 are shown in phantom line in FIG. 7. As shown in FIG.7, the slider 40 is inserted into the left rail member 15 so that theT-shaped cross section of the slider 40 engages with (or is fitted to)the C-shaped cross section of the left rail member 15 (in other words,the groove of the left rail member 15).

After inserting the lower end of the slider 40 into the groove of theleft rail member 15, the user further inserts the slider 40 down thegroove of the left rail member 15. That is, the user slides the leftcontroller 3 downward against the main unit 2. Then, when the leftcontroller 3 has been slid until the lower end of the slider 40 reachesthe position of the stopper 18 of the main unit 2, the left controller 3is locked to the main unit 2.

FIG. 8 is diagram showing an example of how the slider 40 is locked tothe left rail member 15. Note that FIG. 8 shows a cross section of theleft rail member 15 perpendicular to the front-rear direction (thez-axis direction). In order to facilitate understanding of elements ofinterest to be discussed in conjunction with the figure, the elementsare shown in FIG. 8 with different positional relationships anddifferent sizes from FIG. 3, etc.

As shown in FIG. 8(a), when the left controller 3 is not completelyattached to the main unit 2 (i.e., when the lower end of the slider 40has not reached the stopper 18 of the main unit 2), the projection 41 ofthe slider 40 is retracted inside the slider 40 by being in contact withthe bottom surface of the rail member 15.

After the state shown in FIG. 8(a), the slider 40 is slid further downthe left rail member 15, the lower end of the slider 40 reaches theposition of the stopper 18 of the main unit 2 (see FIG. 8(b)). Then, asshown in FIG. 8(b), the projection 41 of the slider 40 faces theengagement hole 16 of the left rail member 15. Therefore, the projection41 protrudes from the engaging surface of the slider 40 to be insertedinto the engagement hole 16. Thus, the projection 41 engages with theengagement hole 16, thereby locking the left controller 3 to the mainunit 2 (in other words, locking the slider 40 to the left rail member15) to such a degree that a small force will not cause the leftcontroller 3 to come off.

When the left controller 3 is locked to the main unit 2, the terminal 42of the slider 40 is located so as to face the left-side terminal 17 ofthe left rail member 15 as shown in FIG. 8(b). Thus, the terminal 42 andthe left-side terminal 17 are connected together. This enables wiredcommunication (in other words, communication via physical connectionbetween terminals) between the left controller 3 and the main unit 2.This also allows power to be supplied from the main unit 2 to the leftcontroller 3.

Note that one or both of the controller-side terminal (i.e., theterminal 42) and the main unit-side terminal (i.e., the left-sideterminal 17) protrudes (only slightly) from the base surface. In thepresent embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8(a), the left-side terminal 17 onthe main unit side is provided to slightly protrude from the basesurface (i.e., the bottom surface of the left rail member 15). A metalportion 17 a to be the contact point of the terminal provided toprotrude is able to deform toward its base surface. Therefore, when theterminals come into contact with each other, each terminal receives apressing force from the other terminal so as to be biased in thedirection in which it protrudes, as shown in FIG. 8(b). This as a resultensures a reliable contact between the terminals.

In the present embodiment, the left-side terminal 17 of the main unit 2is provided below the engagement hole 16. The terminal 42 of the leftcontroller 3 is provided below the projection 41. Therefore, when theslider 40 is inserted into the left rail member 15, the projection 41will not come into contact with the left-side terminal 17, therebylowering the possibility of the projection 41 damaging the left-sideterminal 17.

When detaching the left controller 3 from the main unit 2, a user slidesthe left controller 3 upward against the main unit 2. Note that when theleft controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2, the left controller 3is locked to the main unit 2 by means of the projection 41 and theengagement hole 16. Note however that a certain force or more forsliding the left controller 3 upward will dislocate the projection 41off the position of the engagement hole 16, thereby releasing the lock.After the lock is released, the left controller 3 can be further slid upto remove the left controller 3 from the main unit 2.

Note that in other embodiments, the left controller 3 may include amechanism capable of retracting the projection 41 into the slider 40.The left controller 3 may include a mechanism for retracting theprojection 41 into the slider 40 in response to a user pressing apredetermined button provided on the left controller 3, for example.Thus, by performing the operation described above, the user can easilyrelease the lock of the left controller 3 to the main unit 2 by means ofthe projection 41.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the controllers 3 and 4can be detachably attached to the main unit 2 by means of a slidemechanism including a rail member and a slider. With a slide mechanism,the controllers 3 and 4 can be securely locked to the main unit 2 fordirections other than the slide direction. Therefore, a user can easilyhold the information processing device 1 with the controllers 3 and 4attached to the main unit 2, with little shaking of the controllers 3and 4. In the present embodiment, also for the slide direction, theprojection and the engagement hole allow the controllers 3 and 4 to belocked to the main unit 2. This also reduces the shaking of thecontrollers 3 and 4 attached to the main unit 2, thereby allowing a userto easily hold the information processing device 1.

[1-2. Configuration of Cradle]

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an overall configuration of an exampleinformation processing system according to the present embodiment. Asdescribed above, the information processing system includes theinformation processing device 1 and the cradle 5. As shown in FIG. 9,the information processing device 1 can be placed in the cradle 5. Thecradle 5 can communicate (either via wired communication or wirelesscommunication) with a TV 6, which is an example of an external displaydevice separate from the display 12. When the information processingdevice 1 is placed in the cradle 5, the information processing systemcan display the image obtained or produced by the information processingdevice 1 on the TV 6, the details of which will be described later. Inthe present embodiment, the cradle 5 has a function of charging theinformation processing device 1 placed therein and a function as a hubdevice (specifically, a USB hub), the details of which will be describedlater.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an external configuration of an example ofthe cradle 5. The cradle 5 has a housing such that the informationprocessing device 1 can be placed therein (or attached thereto, in otherwords). In the present embodiment, the housing includes a first support71 provided with a groove 71 a, and a generally-planar second support72, as shown in FIG. 10.

As shown in FIG. 10, the groove 71 a provided in the first support 71 isshaped in conformity with the shape of the lower portion of theinformation processing device 1. Specifically, the groove 71 a is shapedso as to allow the lower portion of the information processing device 1to be inserted into the groove 71 a, and more specifically is shaped togenerally match the shape of the lower portion of the informationprocessing device 1. Thus, the information processing device 1 can beplaced in the cradle 5 by inserting the lower portion of the informationprocessing device 1 into the groove 71 a. The second support 72 supportsthe surface (i.e., the surface on which the display 12 is provided) ofthe information processing device 1, of which the lower portion has beeninserted into the groove 71 a. With the second support 72, the cradle 5can more stably support the information processing device 1. Note thatthe shape of the housing shown in FIG. 10 is merely an example, and thehousing of the cradle 5 may have any other shape in other embodimentsthat allows the information processing device 1 to be placed in thecradle 5.

Note that in FIG. 10, the information processing device 1 is placed inthe cradle 5 so that the primary surface of the main unit 2 (i.e., thesurface of the display 12) faces the second support 72. Note howeverthat in the present embodiment, the information processing device 1 maybe placed in the cradle 5 so that the reverse surface of the main unit 2faces the second support 72. That is, in the present embodiment, a usercan place the information processing device 1 in the cradle 5 in thefront-facing orientation (i.e., an orientation such that the display 12can be seen), or place the information processing device 1 in the cradle5 in the back-facing orientation (i.e., an orientation such that thedisplay 12 is hidden).

As shown in FIG. 10, the cradle 5 also includes the main body terminal73 for allowing the cradle 5 to communicate with the informationprocessing device 1. As shown in FIG. 10, the main body terminal 73 isprovided on the bottom surface of the groove 71 a formed in the firstsupport 71. More specifically, the main body terminal 73 is located soas to be in contact with the lower terminal 27 of the informationprocessing device 1 when the information processing device 1 is attachedto the cradle 5. In the present embodiment, the main body terminal 73 isa USB connector (more specifically, a male-side connector). Note that inthe present embodiment, the information processing device 1 can beattached to the cradle 5 either in the front-facing orientation or inthe back-facing orientation, as described above. Thus, the lowerterminal 27 of the information processing device 1 and the main bodyterminal 73 of the cradle 5 are each symmetric with respect to the depthdirection (i.e., the z-axis direction shown in FIG. 1), allowing them tocommunicate with each other whether they are connected in oneorientation or the other with respect to the depth direction.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cradle 5 includes a sleep button 74. The sleepbutton 74 is button for switching between the ON mode and the sleep modeof the main unit 2 attached to the cradle 5. Note that in otherembodiments, the sleep button 74 may have the function of turning ON/OFFthe power of the main unit 2, in addition to (or instead of) thefunction of switching between the ON mode and the sleep mode of the mainunit 2.

Note that in the present embodiment, the sleep button 74 is provided onthe front surface of the first support 71. The sleep button 74 may beprovided at any position such that the sleep button 74 can be presseddown with the information processing device 1 attached to the cradle 5.For example, the sleep button 74 may be provided on the side surface ofthe housing of the cradle 5 or on the back surface of the second support72.

In the present embodiment, the sleep button 74 includes a light-emittingportion (specifically, LED). The light-emitting portion of the sleepbutton 74 is used to indicate, to the user, the status of the main unit2 attached to the cradle 5. That is, the light-emitting portion varieshow light is emitted (in other words, how it is lit) depending on thestatus of the main unit 2 attached to the cradle 5. For example, in thepresent embodiment, the light-emitting portion is lit when the main unit2 attached to the cradle 5 is in the ON mode, and the light-emittingportion is turned OFF when the main unit 2 is in the sleep mode or inthe power-off mode. Moreover, when the main unit 2 has information thatshould be indicated to the user (e.g., program update information,announcement, advertisement, etc.), the light-emitting portion blinks.Note that the light-emitting portion does not need to be provided on thesleep button 74, but it may be provided at any position on the housingof the cradle 5, for example.

Although not shown in FIG. 10, the cradle 5 includes a terminal (in thepresent embodiment, a plurality of terminals, specifically, a monitorterminal 132, a power terminal 134 and extension terminals 137 shown inFIG. 13) provided on the back surface of the housing. The details ofthese terminals will be described later.

There is no particular limitation on the shape, the number and thearrangement of the various elements provided on the cradle 5(specifically, the housing, the terminals and the button) describedabove. For example, in other embodiments, the housing may have any othershape such that the information processing device 1 can be supported bythe housing. Some of the terminals provided on the housing may beprovided on the front surface of the housing. In other embodiments, someof the various elements described above may be absent from the cradle 5.

[2. Internal Configuration of Various Units]

[2-1. Internal Configuration of Main Unit 2]

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example internal configuration ofthe main unit 2. In addition to the elements shown in FIG. 3, the mainunit 2 also includes elements 81 to 98 shown in FIG. 11. Some of theseelements 81 to 98 may be mounted, as electronic components, on anelectronic circuit board and accommodated in the housing 11.

(Elements Regarding Execution of Information Process)

The main unit 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 81. The CPU 81is an information processing section for executing various informationprocesses to be executed on the main unit 2. The CPU 81 executes variousinformation processes by executing an information processing programstored in a storage section that can be accessed by the CPU 81(specifically, an internal storage medium such as a flash memory 84 orexternal storage media attached to the slots 23 and 24, etc.).

The main unit 2 includes, as an example internal storage medium providedin the main unit 2, the flash memory 84 and a DRAM (Dynamic RandomAccess Memory) 85. The flash memory 84 and the DRAM 85 are connected tothe CPU 81. The flash memory 84 is a memory used primarily for storingvarious data (which may be programs) saved on the main unit 2. The DRAM85 is a memory used for temporarily storing various data used ininformation processes.

The main unit 2 includes a first slot interface (hereinafter abbreviatedas “I/F”) 91. The main unit 2 also includes a second slot I/F 92. Theslot I/Fs 91 and 92 are connected to the CPU 81. The first slot I/F 91is connected to the first slot 23, and reads and writes data from and toa storage medium of the first type (e.g., an SD card) inserted in thefirst slot 23, in response to an instruction from the CPU 81. The secondslot I/F 92 is connected to the second slot 24, and reads and writesdata from and to a storage medium of the second type (e.g., a dedicatedmemory card) inserted in the second slot 24, in response to aninstruction from the CPU 81.

The CPU 81 executes the information processes described above by readingand writing data from and to the memories 84 and 85 and the storagemedia.

(Elements Regarding Communication)

The main unit 2 includes a network communication section 82. The networkcommunication section 82 is connected to the CPU 81. The networkcommunication section 82 communicates (specifically, in wirelesscommunication) with an external device via a network. In the presentembodiment, the network communication section 82 is a Wi-Fi certifiedcommunication module, for example, and communicates with an externaldevice via a wireless LAN. Note that in other embodiments, the main unit2 may have the function of implementing communication by connecting to amobile communication network (in other words, a mobile telephonecommunication network), in addition to (or instead of) the function ofimplementing communication by connecting to a wireless LAN.

The main unit 2 includes a controller communication section 83. Thecontroller communication section 83 is connected to the CPU 81. Thecontroller communication section 83 communicates with the controllers 3and/or 4 in wireless communication. While there is no particularlimitation on the communication scheme between the main unit 2 and thecontrollers, the controller communication section 83 communicates withthe controllers in accordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark)standard in the present embodiment.

The CPU 81 is connected to the left-side terminal 17, the right-sideterminal 21 and the lower terminal 27 described above. Whencommunicating with the left controller 3 in wired communication, the CPU81 transmits data to the left controller 3 via the left-side terminal17. When communicating with the right controller 4 in wiredcommunication, the CPU 81 transmits data to the right controller 4 viathe right-side terminal 21. When communicating with the cradle 5, theCPU 81 transmits data to the cradle 5 via the lower terminal 27.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the main unit 2 is capable ofcommunicating with the left and right controllers 3 and 4 either inwired communication or in wireless communication. Note that the processof switching between wired communication and wireless communication willbe described later.

The main unit 2 can communicate with a plurality of left controllerssimultaneously (in other words, in parallel). The main unit 2 cancommunicate with a plurality of right controllers simultaneously (inother words, in parallel). Therefore, users can make inputs to theinformation processing device 1 by using a plurality of left controllersand a plurality of right controllers.

(Elements Regarding Input/Output to/from Main Unit 2)

The main unit 2 includes a touch panel controller 86, which is a circuitfor controlling the touch panel 13. The touch panel controller 86 isconnected to the touch panel 13, and is connected to the CPU 81. Basedon a signal from the touch panel 13, for example, the touch panelcontroller 86 generates data representing the position at which thetouch input has been performed, and outputs the data to the CPU 81.

The display 12 described above is connected to the CPU 81. The CPU 81displays images generated and/or images obtained from outside on thedisplay 12 (e.g., by executing the information processes describedabove).

The main unit 2 includes a codec circuit 87 and a speaker (specifically,a left speaker and a right speaker) 88. The codec circuit 87 isconnected to the speaker 88 and the sound input/output terminal 25, andis also connected to the CPU 81. The codec circuit 87 is a circuit forcontrolling the input/output of sound data to/from the speaker 88 andthe sound input/output terminal 25. That is, when sound data is receivedfrom the CPU 81, the codec circuit 87 outputs, to the speaker 88 or thesound input/output terminal 25, a sound signal obtained by performing aD/A conversion on the sound data. Thus, a sound is output from thespeaker 88 or a sound output section (e.g., an earphone) connected tothe sound input/output terminal 25. When a sound signal is received fromthe sound input/output terminal 25, the codec circuit 87 performs an A/Dconversion on the sound signal and outputs sound data of a predeterminedformat to the CPU 81.

The sound volume button 26 described above (specifically, the soundvolume buttons 26 a and 26 b shown in FIG. 3) is connected to the CPU81. The CPU 81 controls the sound volume of the output from the speaker88 or the sound output section based on an input on the sound volumebutton 26.

The main unit 2 includes an acceleration sensor 89. In the presentembodiment, the acceleration sensor 89 detects the magnitude of thelinear acceleration along directions of three predetermined axes (e.g.,the xyz axes shown in FIG. 1). Note that the acceleration sensor 89 maydetect acceleration in one axis direction or two axis directions.

The main unit 2 includes an angular velocity sensor 90. In the presentembodiment, the angular velocity sensor 90 detects the angular velocityabout three predetermined axes (e.g., the xyz axes shown in FIG. 1).Note that the angular velocity sensor 90 may detect the angular velocityabout one axis or two axes.

The acceleration sensor 89 and the angular velocity sensor 90 areconnected to the CPU 81, and the detection results of the accelerationsensor 89 and the angular velocity sensor 90 are output to the CPU 81.Based on the detection results of the acceleration sensor 89 and theangular velocity sensor 90, the CPU 81 can calculate informationregarding movement and/or attitude of the main unit 2.

(Elements Regarding Power)

The main unit 2 includes a power control section 97 and a battery 98.The power control section 97 is connected to the battery 98 and the CPU81. Although not shown in the figure, the power control section 97 isconnected to various sections of the main unit 2 (specifically, varioussections receiving power supply from the battery 98, the left-sideterminal 17 and the right-side terminal 21). The power control section97 controls the power supply from the battery 98 to the various sectionsbased on an instruction from the CPU 81. The power control section 97 isconnected to the power button 28. The power control section 97 controlsthe power supply to the various sections based on an input on the powerbutton 28. That is, when the power-OFF operation is performed on thepower button 28, the power control section 97 stops the power supply tosome or all of the various sections, and when the power-ON operation isperformed on the power button 28, the power control section 97 startsthe power supply to some or all of the various sections. When aninstruction to switch to the sleep mode is given to the power button 28,the power control section 97 stops the power supply to some elements,including the display 12, and when an instruction to switch to the ONmode is given to the power button 28, the power control section 97starts the power supply to the elements. The power control section 97also outputs, to the CPU 81, information representing the input on thepower button 28 (specifically, information indicating whether or not thepower button 28 is being pressed).

The battery 98 is connected to the lower terminal 27. Where an externalcharging device (e.g., the cradle 5) is connected to the lower terminal27, and power is supplied to the main unit 2 via the lower terminal 27,the battery 98 is charged with the power supplied thereto. Note that inthe present embodiment, the charging capacity of the battery 98 of themain unit 2 is larger than the charging capacity of the battery of thecontrollers 3 and 4 to be described later.

(Other Elements)

The main unit 2 includes a magnetic force sensor (referred to also as amagnetic sensor) 93 for detecting the intensity and/or the direction ofa magnetic field. The magnetic force sensor 93 is connected to the CPU81, and the detection results of the magnetic force sensor 93 are outputto the CPU 81. In the present embodiment, the magnetic force sensor 93is used to detect whether a protection cover (not shown) attached to theinformation processing device 1 is open or closed. For example, theprotection cover is provided with a magnet, and the CPU 81 detects whenthe primary surface of the main unit 2 is covered by the protectioncover based on the detection results of the magnetic force sensor 93.Note that when such a state is detected, the CPU 81 turns OFF thedisplay of the display 12, for example.

The main unit 2 includes the ambient light sensor 94 for detecting theintensity of the ambient light around the main unit 2. The ambient lightsensor 94 is connected to the CPU 81, and the detection results of theambient light sensor 94 are output to the CPU 81. In the presentembodiment, the ambient light sensor 94 is used to adjust the brightnessof the display 12. That is, the CPU 81 controls the brightness of thedisplay 12 based on the detection results of the ambient light sensor94.

The main unit 2 includes a cooling fan 96 for radiating heat from insidethe main unit 2. With the cooling fan 96 in operation, the air outsidethe housing 11 is introduced into the housing 11 through the air inlethole 11 d and the air inside the housing 11 is discharged through theair outlet hole 11 c, thereby discharging heat from inside the housing11. The cooling fan 96 is connected to the CPU 81, and the operation ofthe cooling fan 96 is controlled by the CPU 81. The main unit 2 includesa temperature sensor 95 for detecting the temperature inside the mainunit 2. The temperature sensor 95 is connected to the CPU 81, and thedetection results of the temperature sensor 95 are output to the CPU 81.The CPU 81 controls the operation of the cooling fan 96 based on thedetection results of the temperature sensor 95.

[2-2. Internal Configuration of Left Controller 3]

FIG. 12 a block diagram showing an example internal configuration of theinformation processing device 1. Note that the details of the internalconfiguration of the information processing device 1 that are related tothe main unit 2 are shown in FIG. 11, and are therefore not shown inFIG. 12.

(Elements Regarding Communication)

The left controller 3 includes a communication control section 101 forcommunicating with the main unit 2. As shown in FIG. 12, thecommunication control section 101 is connected to various elementsincluding the terminal 42 described above. In the present embodiment,the communication control section 101 is capable of communicating withthe main unit 2 both in wired communication via the terminal 42 and inwireless communication without using the terminal 42. The communicationcontrol section 101 controls the communication method used by the leftcontroller 3 for communicating with the main unit 2. That is, when theleft controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2, the communicationcontrol section 101 communicates with the main unit 2 via the terminal42. When the left controller 3 is detached from the main unit 2, thecommunication control section 101 communicates with the main unit 2(specifically, with the controller communication section 83) in wirelesscommunication. The wireless communication between the controllercommunication section 83 and the communication control section 101 is inaccordance with the Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard.

The left controller 3 includes a memory 102 such as a flash memory, forexample. The communication control section 101 is a microcomputer(referred to also as a microprocessor), for example, and executesvarious processes by executing firmware stored in the memory 102.

(Elements Regarding Input)

The left controller 3 includes the buttons 103 (specifically, thebuttons 33 to 39, 43 and 44). The left controller 3 includes the analogstick (labeled “stick” in FIG. 12) 32 described above. The buttons 103and the analog stick 32 repeatedly output, with appropriate timing,information regarding operations performed thereon to the communicationcontrol section 101.

The left controller 3 includes an acceleration sensor 104. In thepresent embodiment, the acceleration sensor 104 detects the magnitude ofthe linear acceleration along directions of threes predetermined axes(e.g., the xyz axes shown in FIG. 1). Note that the acceleration sensor104 may detect acceleration in one axis direction or two axisdirections.

The left controller 3 includes an angular velocity sensor 105. In thepresent embodiment, the angular velocity sensor 105 detects the angularvelocity about three predetermined axes (e.g., the xyz axes shown inFIG. 1). Note that the angular velocity sensor 105 may detect theangular velocity about one axis or two axes.

The acceleration sensor 104 and the angular velocity sensor 105 areconnected to the communication control section 101. The detectionresults of the acceleration sensor 104 and the angular velocity sensor105 are repeatedly output, with appropriate timing, to the communicationcontrol section 101.

The communication control section 101 obtains input-related information(specifically, information regarding operations or detection results ofsensors) from the input sections (specifically, the buttons 103, theanalog stick 32 and the sensors 104 and 105). The communication controlsection 101 transmits operation data including the obtained information(or information obtained by performing a predetermined process on theobtained information) to the main unit 2. Note that operation data istransmitted repeatedly once per a predetermined period of time. Notethat the interval at which the input-related information is transmittedto the main unit 2 may or may not be the same among different inputsections.

As the operation data is transmitted to the main unit 2, the main unit 2can know the input that has been performed on the left controller 3.That is, the main unit 2 can determine operations performed on thebuttons 103 and the analog stick 32 based on the operation data. Themain unit 2 can calculate information regarding movement and/or attitudeof the left controller 3 based on the operation data (specifically, thedetection results of the sensors 104 and 105).

(Elements regarding output)

The indicator LED 45 described above is connected to the communicationcontrol section 101. In the present embodiment, the indicator LED 45 iscontrolled by an instruction from the main unit 2. That is, when theinstruction is received from the main unit 2, the communication controlsection 101 outputs, to the indicator LED 45, a control signal forcontrolling the lighting of the indicator LED 45 in accordance with theinstruction.

The left controller 3 includes a vibrator 107 for indications to theuser through vibration. In the present embodiment, the vibrator 107 iscontrolled by an instruction from the main unit 2. That is, when theinstruction is received from the main unit 2, the communication controlsection 101 drives the vibrator 107 in accordance with the instruction.The left controller 3 includes an amplifier 106. When the instruction isreceived, the communication control section 101 outputs a control signalin accordance with the instruction to the amplifier 106. The amplifier106 amplifies the control signal from the communication control section101 and generates a driving signal for driving the vibrator 107 to givethe driving signal to the vibrator 107. This actuates the vibrator 107.

(Elements Regarding Power)

The left controller 3 includes a power supply section 108. In thepresent embodiment, the power supply section 108 includes a battery anda power control circuit. Although not shown in the figure, the powercontrol circuit is connected to the battery and is connected to thevarious sections of the left controller 3 (specifically, varioussections receiving power supply from the battery). The power controlcircuit controls the power supply from the battery to the varioussections.

The battery is also connected to the terminal 42. In the presentembodiment, when the left controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2,the battery is charged with the power supply from the main unit 2 viathe terminal 42 under a predetermined condition, the details of whichwill be described later.

[2-3. Internal Configuration of Right Controller 4]

(Elements Regarding Communication)

As shown in FIG. 12, the right controller 4 includes a communicationcontrol section 111 for communicating with the main unit 2. The rightcontroller 4 includes a memory 112 connected to the communicationcontrol section 111. The communication control section 111 is connectedto various element including the terminal 64 described above. Thecommunication control section 111 and the memory 112 have similarfunctions to the communication control section 101 and the memory 102 ofthe left controller 3. Therefore, the communication control section 111is capable of communicating with the main unit 2 both in wiredcommunication via the terminal 64 and in wireless communication withoutusing the terminal 64 (specifically, communication in accordance withthe Bluetooth (registered trademark) standard), and controls thecommunication method by which the right controller 4 communicates withthe main unit 2.

(Elements Regarding Input)

The right controller 4 includes similar input sections (specifically,the buttons 113, the analog stick 52, an acceleration sensor 114 and anangular velocity sensor 115) to those of the left controller 3. Theseinput sections have similar functions and operate in a similar fashionto the input sections of the left controller 3.

(Elements Regarding Output)

The indicator LED 67 of the right controller 4 operates in a similarfashion to the indicator LED 45 of the left controller 3. That is, whenthe instruction from the main unit 2 is received, the communicationcontrol section 111 outputs, to the indicator LED 67, a control signalfor controlling the lighting of the indicator LED 67 in accordance withthe instruction.

The right controller 4 includes a vibrator 117 and an amplifier 116. Thevibrator 117 and the amplifier 116 operate in a similar fashion to thevibrator 107 and the amplifier 106 of the left controller 3. That is,the communication control section 111 actuates the vibrator 117 usingthe amplifier 116 in accordance with an instruction from the main unit2.

(Elements Regarding Power)

The right controller 4 includes a power supply section 118. The powersupply section 118 has a similar function and operates in a similarfashion to the power supply section 108 of the left controller 3. Thatis, the power supply section 118 controls the power supply to thevarious sections receiving power supply from the battery. When the rightcontroller 4 is attached to the main unit 2, the battery is charged withthe power supply from the main unit 2 via the terminal 64 under apredetermined condition.

(Other Elements)

The right controller 4 includes an NFC communication section 122. TheNFC communication section 122 implements near-field wirelesscommunication in accordance with the NFC (Near Field Communication)standard. The NFC communication section 122 has the function of aso-called NFC reader/writer. For example, the NFC communication section122 includes an antenna used for the near-field wireless communication,and a circuit (e.g., an NFC chip) for generating a signal (radio wave)to be transmitted from the antenna. Note that the near-field wirelesscommunication is not limited to those based on the NFC standard, but mayalso be any proximity communication (referred to also as non-contactcommunication). The proximity communication for example includescommunication schemes in which one device generates an electromotiveforce on the other device by radio waves therefrom (e.g., throughelectromagnetic induction).

The right controller 4 includes the infrared image-capturing section123. The infrared image-capturing section 123 includes an infraredcamera for capturing an image around the right controller 4. In thepresent embodiment, the infrared image-capturing section 123 is used tocapture an image of a hand of a user. The information processing device1 identifies an input made with the hand (e.g., a gesture input, etc.)based on information (e.g., the position, the size, the shape, etc.) ofthe hand of which the image has been captured. The infraredimage-capturing section 123 includes an illuminating section foroutputting infrared light. The illuminating section outputs infraredlight in synchronism with the timing at which the infrared cameracaptures an image, for example. The infrared light output from theilluminating section is reflected by an object (e.g., a hand of a user),and the reflected infrared light is received by the infrared camera,thus obtaining an image of the infrared light. Thus, it is possible toobtain a clearer infrared light image. Note that while the infraredimage-capturing section 123 including an infrared camera is used in thepresent embodiment, a visible light camera (a camera using a visiblelight image sensor) may be used, instead of an infrared camera, as animage-capturing device, in other embodiments.

The right controller 4 includes a processing section 121. The processingsection 121 is connected to the communication control section 111 andalso connected to the NFC communication section 122. The processingsection 121 executes a management process for the NFC communicationsection 122 in response to an instruction from the main unit 2. Forexample, the processing section 121 controls the action of the NFCcommunication section 122 in response to an instruction from the mainunit 2. The processing section 121 also controls the activation of theNFC communication section 122, and controls the action (specifically,reading and writing, etc.) of the NFC communication section 122 on acommunication partner (e.g., an NFC tag). The processing section 121also receives information to be transmitted to the communication partnerfrom the main unit 2 via the communication control section 111 to passthis information to the NFC communication section 122, and obtains fromthe NFC communication section 122 information received from thecommunication partner to transmit this information to the main unit 2via the communication control section 111.

The processing section 121 executes a management process for theinfrared image-capturing section 123 in response to an instruction fromthe main unit 2. For example, the processing section 121 causes theinfrared image-capturing section 123 to perform an image-capturingoperation, and obtains information based on the image-capturing result(information of the captured image or information calculated from suchinformation, etc.) to transmit this information to the main unit 2 viathe communication control section 111.

[2-4. Internal Configuration of Cradle 5]

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example internal configuration ofthe cradle 5. Note that the details of the internal configurationregarding the main unit 2 are shown in FIG. 11 and are therefore notshown in FIG. 13.

(Elements Regarding Image Conversion)

As shown in FIG. 13, the cradle 5 includes a conversion section 131 andthe monitor terminal 132. The conversion section 131 is connected to themain body terminal 73 and the monitor terminal 132. The conversionsection 131 converts a signal format regarding an image (referred toalso as a video) and a sound received from the main unit 2 into a formatto be output to the TV 6. In the present embodiment, the main unit 2outputs image and sound signals to the cradle 5 as a display port signal(i.e., a signal in accordance with the DisplayPort standard). In thepresent embodiment, communication based on the HDMI (registeredtrademark) standard is used for communication between the cradle 5 andthe TV 6. That is, the monitor terminal 132 is an HDMI terminal, and thecradle 5 and the TV 6 are connected together by an HDMI cable. Thus, theconversion section 131 converts the display port signal (specifically, asignal representing a video and a sound) received from the main unit 2via the main body terminal 73 into an HDMI signal. The converted HDMIsignal is output to the TV 6 via the monitor terminal 132.

The cradle 5 includes a processing section 135 for executing variousinformation processes on the cradle 5. The processing section 135 isconnected to the sleep button 74 described above, and is connected tothe main body terminal 73 via a connection processing section 136 (thedetails of which will be described later). The processing section 135detects an operation performed on the sleep button 74, and notifies themain unit 2 of the operation. When receiving such a notification, themain unit 2 switches between the ON mode and the sleep mode thereof.Thus, in the present embodiment, when the main unit 2 is attached to thecradle 5, the ON mode and the sleep mode of the information processingdevice 1 are switched from one to another in response to the sleepbutton 74 being pressed down.

(Elements Regarding Charging)

The cradle 5 includes a power control section 133 and the power terminal134. The power terminal 134 is a terminal for connecting a chargingdevice (not shown) (e.g., an AC adaptor, etc.). In the presentembodiment, it is assumed that an AC adaptor is connected to the powerterminal 134, and the cradle 5 is receiving commercial power supply.

When the main unit 2 is attached to the cradle 5, the power controlsection 133 supplies power from the power terminal 134 to the main unit2 via the main body terminal 73. Thus, the battery 98 of the main unit 2is charged as described above.

Note that in the present embodiment, the power terminal 134 is aconnector (i.e., a female-side USB terminal) of the same shape as thelower terminal 27 of the information processing device 1. Therefore, inthe present embodiment, the charging device may be connected to thecradle 5 to charge the information processing device 1 via the cradle 5,or the charging device may be connected directly to the main unit 2 tocharge the information processing device 1.

(Other Elements)

The cradle 5 includes the connection processing section 136 and theextension terminals 137. The extension terminals 137 are terminals forconnecting other devices. In the present embodiment, the cradle 5includes a plurality (more specifically, three) of USB terminals as theextension terminals 137. The connection processing section 136 isconnected to the main body terminal 73 and the extension terminals 137.The connection processing section 136 has a function of a USB hub, andmanages the communication between devices connected to the extensionterminals 137 and the main unit 2 connected to the main body terminal73, for example, (i.e., a signal from one device is appropriatelydistributed among other devices). As described above, in the presentembodiment, the information processing device 1 is capable ofcommunicating with other devices via the cradle 5. Note that theconnection processing section 136 may be capable of converting thecommunication speed or supply power to devices connected to theextension terminals 137.

[3. Outline of Operation of Information Processing System]

As described above, in the present embodiment, the left and rightcontrollers 3 and 4 can be attached to and detached from the informationprocessing device 1. By being attached to the cradle 5, the informationprocessing device 1 is capable of outputting images (and sound) to theTV 6. Therefore, the information processing device 1 can be used invarious modes of use as will be described below. The operation of theinformation processing system in primary modes of use will now bedescribed.

[3-1. Mode in which Controller is Used Attached to Main Unit]

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of how the informationprocessing device 1 is used with the controllers 3 and 4 attached to themain unit 2 (referred to as the “attached state”). As shown in FIG. 14,when the controllers 3 and 4 are attached to the main unit 2, theinformation processing device 1 can be used as a portable device (e.g.,a portable game device).

In the attached state, the main unit 2 and the controllers 3 and 4communicate with each other in wired communication (i.e., communicationbetween devices connected together via terminals). That is, the mainunit 2 receives operation data from the controllers 3 and 4 attachedthereto, and executes an information process based on the receivedoperation data (specifically, by using operation data as an input).

Note that in other embodiments, the main unit 2 and the controllers maycommunicate with each other in wireless communication in the attachedstate. In the attached state, wireless communication may not workproperly because the main unit 2 and the controllers are too close toeach other. In contrast, in the present embodiment, the main unit 2 andthe controllers communicate with each other in wired communication inthe attached state, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

Note that in the attached state, the four operation buttons 33 to 36 ofthe left controller 3 may be used to give a directional input (in otherwords, a directional instruction). Then, a user can make a directionalinput by using the analog stick 32 or can make a directional input byusing the operation buttons 33 to 36. A user is allowed to make adirectional input by using a preferred operation mechanism, therebyimproving the controllability. Note however that the instruction eachoperation button is assigned can be freely determined by the programexecuted on the main unit 2.

In the present embodiment, the arrangement of the analog stick and thefour operation buttons (i.e., A, B, X and Y buttons) is reversed betweenthe left controller 3 and the right controller 4. That is, in theattached state, the analog stick 32 is arranged above the four operationbuttons 33 to 36 on the left controller 3, whereas the four operationbuttons 53 to 56 are arranged above the analog stick 52 on the rightcontroller 4. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, when the informationprocessing device 1 is held with the left hand and the right hand at thesame height (in other words, at the same position with respect to theup-down direction), it will be easier for one hand to operate the analogstick and for the other hand to operate the four operation buttons. Thatis, in the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an informationprocessing device, with which it is easy to operate an analog stick andfour operation buttons.

Note that controllers of different configurations (e.g., configurationshaving different functions, configurations where operation sections arearranged differently, etc.) from the present embodiment may be providedas the left controller and/or the right controller (see “[5-1. Othertypes of controllers]), the details of which will be described later.Then, it is possible to provide an information processing device thatcan be operated in a different fashion from the present embodiment(i.e., the information processing device 1 shown in FIG. 14) byattaching the left controller and/or the right controller having adifferent configuration to the main unit 2, instead of the leftcontroller 3 and/or the right controller 4 of the present embodiment.

[3-2. Mode in which a Pair of Controllers are Used Detached]

As described above, in the present embodiment, the informationprocessing device 1 can be used with the left and right controllers 3and 4 detached from the main unit 2 (referred to as the “detachedstate). Possible modes in which the information processing device 1 isused in the detached state include at least two modes, one in which asingle user uses two controllers 3 and 4, and another in which two userseach use one controller.

(Mode in which Single User Uses Two Controllers)

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a single user holding twocontrollers 3 and 4 to use the information processing device 1 in thedetached state. As shown in FIG. 15, in the detached state, a user canoperate one set of two controllers 3 and 4 by holding them respectivelyin the left hand and the right hand.

Note that in the present embodiment, it is possible to calculateinformation regarding the movement and/or the attitude of a controllerbased on the detection results of the acceleration sensor and/or theangular velocity sensor provided in the controller. Therefore, theinformation processing device 1 can accept, as an input, the operationof moving the controller itself. A user is allowed to not only performan operation on the operation sections (the operation buttons and theanalog stick) of the controller but also perform an operation of movingthe controller itself. That is, in the present embodiment, theinformation processing device 1, being a portable device, can allow auser to perform an operation of moving the controller (without movingthe display). Also, the information processing device 1, being aportable device, can allow a user to perform an operation away from thedisplay 12.

Note that the information processing device 1 can calculate informationregarding movement and/or attitude of the information processing device1 based on the detection results of the acceleration sensor 89 and/orthe angular velocity sensor 90 provided in the main unit 2 not only inthe detached state but also in the attached state.

In the detached state, the main unit 2 and the controllers 3 and 4communicate with each other using wireless communication. That is, themain unit 2 receives operation data from the controllers 3 and 4 withwhich a wireless connection has been established (i.e., which have beenpaired with the main unit 2), and executes an information process basedon the received operation data (specifically, using the operation dataas an input).

In the present embodiment, for wireless communication, the main unit 2distinguishes between two controllers which are communication partners.That is, the main unit 2 identifies whether the received operation datais from the left controller 3 or from the right controller 4. The methodfor distinguishing between controllers will be described later.

(Mode in which Two Users Each Use One Controller)

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of two users each holding onecontroller to use the information processing device 1 in the detachedstate. As shown in FIG. 16, in the detached state, two users can eachperform an operation. Specifically, one user (referred to as the “firstuser”) can perform an operation by using the left controller 3 while theother user (referred to as the “second user”) can perform an operationby using the right controller 4. For example, the information processingdevice 1 executes an information process of controlling the action of afirst object (e.g., the player character) in a virtual space based on anoperation performed on the left controller 3, and controlling the actionof a second object in the virtual space based on an operation performedon the right controller 4. Note that as in the mode shown in FIG. 15,also in the mode shown in FIG. 16, a user can operate the operationsections provided on the controller and/or perform an operation ofmoving the controller itself.

In the present embodiment, the positional relationship between theanalog stick 52 and the operation buttons 53 to 56 on the rightcontroller 4 is opposite from the positional relationship between thesetwo types of operation sections on the left controller 3. Therefore, iftwo users hold the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 in thesame orientation, as shown in FIG. 16, for example, the positionalrelationship between the two types of operation sections on one of thetwo controllers will be the same as that on the other controller. Thatis, in the present embodiment, users can use the left controller 3 andthe right controller 4 detached from the main unit 2 in the same fashionwith respect to the two types of operation sections. Thus, it ispossible to improve the controllability of the controller.

In the detached state, the four operation buttons 33 to 36 of the leftcontroller 3 may be used for the same function as the four operationbuttons 53 to 56 of the right controller 4 (in other words, they may beused for giving the same instructions). Specifically, the rightdirection button 33 may be used for the same function as the Y button56, the lower direction button 34 for the same function as the X button55, the upper direction button 35 for the same function as the B button54, and the left direction button 36 for the same function as the Abutton 53. Thus, in the present embodiment, the function of theoperation buttons 33 to 36 may vary between the attached state and thedetached state. Note however that the instruction each operation buttonis assigned can be freely determined by the program executed on the mainunit 2.

Note that in FIG. 16, the information processing device 1 divides thedisplay area of the display 12 into two display areas to display animage for the first user (e.g., an image including the first object) inone of the display areas and an image for the second user (e.g., animage including the second object) in the other display area. Notehowever that depending on the application running on the informationprocessing device 1, the information processing device 1 may display animage for two users (e.g., an image including both the first object andthe second object) without dividing the display area of the display 12.

As in the mode shown in FIG. 15, also in the mode shown in FIG. 16, themain unit 2 and the controllers 3 and 4 communicate with each other inwireless communication. Then, the main unit 2 distinguishes betweencontrollers each being a communication partner.

(Other Modes)

In the present embodiment, the right controller 4 includes the infraredimage-capturing section 123. Therefore, with the right controller 4detached from the main unit 2, the information processing device 1 mayexecute an information process based on the image-capturing results(referred to also as detection results) from the infraredimage-capturing section 123. Examples of the information process includethe following processes.

For example, when an attachment including an operation section(hereinafter referred to as an “extension controller”) is attached tothe right controller 4, the main unit 2 can detect an operationperformed on the operation section based on the image-capturing resultsfrom the infrared image-capturing section 123. Therefore, the main unit2 can execute an information process in accordance with an operationperformed on the operation section by using the image-capturing results.

Specifically, the extension controller can be attached and detached toand from the right controller 4, and include buttons and a movableoperation section such as a stick, for example. The extension controllerincludes, inside the housing, a movable portion that moves (herein, themovement includes rotation) in response to an operation performed on anoperation section. For example, the movable portion is a memberconfigured to move in response to a button, which is an operationsection, being pressed down. Here, the extension controller is attachedto the right controller 4 so that the infrared image-capturing section123 can capture an image of the movable portion inside the housing. Forexample, the housing of the extension controller is provided with awindow portion, and the infrared image-capturing section 123 can capturean image of the movable portion via the window portion, with theextension controller attached to the right controller 4. Then, the mainunit 2 can identify an operation performed on an operation section ofthe extension controller based on the position and/or the attitude ofthe movable portion in the image captured by the infraredimage-capturing section 123. Thus, by using captured images, the mainunit 2 may execute an information process in response to an operationperformed on the operation section.

The main unit 2 may detect a gesture input by using a hand of a userbased on the image-capturing results from the infrared image-capturingsection 123 so as to execute an information process in accordance withthe gesture input. For example, a user holds the right controller 4 inone hand, and an image is captured of the other hand of the user usingthe infrared camera of the infrared image-capturing section 123. Notethat in the present embodiment, the infrared camera is arranged so as tocapture an image of an area under the right controller 4. Therefore, auser makes a gesture input by placing the other hand under the rightcontroller 4. The main unit 2 obtains information based on theimage-capturing results from the right controller 4 so as to identify agesture input made by a user. Then, the main unit 2 executes aninformation process based on the gesture input.

A gesture input may be any input made by using an operation object to beoperated (moved) by a user. An operation object may be a body of a user(which may be a part of the body, such as a hand or the face, or may bethe whole body), may be an object held by a user, or may include both.The information processing device 1 may recognize the shape of theoperation object as a gesture input, may recognize the position, theorientation and/or the movement of the operation object as a gestureinput, or may recognize a combination thereof as a gesture input. Forexample, a user can make a gesture input by using the shape of a hand,the movement of a hand, the position of a hand (with respect to theright controller 4), the orientation (attitude) of a hand, etc.

In addition to (or instead of) identifying a gesture input, the infraredimage-capturing section 123 may be used to calculate the position and/orthe orientation of the right controller 4 with respect to apredetermined marker. For example, a user may place a marker at anintended position (e.g., around the display 12 or around the TV 6), andperform an operation of moving the right controller 4 within such arange that the infrared camera can capture an image of the marker. Notethat the marker may be made of a material that reflects infrared light,for example. Then, the information processing device 1 can calculate theposition and/or the orientation of the right controller 4 with respectto the marker based on the image-capturing results from the infraredimage-capturing section 123. Moreover, the information processing device1 can execute an information process by using the calculated informationas a user's operation input.

The main unit 2 can also capture an image of a hand of a user(specifically, the vein pattern of the hand) by means of the infraredimage-capturing section 123, to thereby authenticate (specifically, byvein authentication) a user based on the captured image. Moreover, themain unit 2 can also measure the pulse of a user by capturing an imageof a hand of the user by means of the infrared image-capturing section123. That is, where infrared light output onto and reflected by a handof a user is detected by the infrared image-capturing section 123, themain unit 2 can calculate the pulse of the user based on changes in thereflected waves.

Note that the above description has been directed to an example wherethe infrared image-capturing section 123 is used when the rightcontroller 4 is detached from the main unit 2. Now, the informationprocessing device 1 can also execute an information process based on theimage-capturing results from the infrared image-capturing section 123with the right controller 4 attached to the main unit 2.

In the present embodiment, the main unit 2 is provided with inputsections (specifically, the touch panel 13, the acceleration sensor 89,the angular velocity sensor 90, etc.). Therefore, a user can use onlythe main unit 2 with the controllers 3 and 4 detached therefrom. Then, auser can use the information processing device 1 while the weightthereof is reduced.

In the present embodiment, the information processing device 1 may beused with one of the left controller 3 and the right controller 4detached from the main unit 2 and with the other controller attached tothe main unit 2. Then, the main unit 2 may communicate with the firstcontroller in wireless communication and communicate with the secondcontroller in wired communication.

[3-3. Mode in which Three or More Controllers are Used]

As described above, in the present embodiment, the main unit 2 cancommunicate with a plurality of left controllers. The main unit 2 canalso communicate with a plurality of right controllers. Therefore, inthe present embodiment, three or more controllers can be usedsimultaneously.

FIG. 17 is diagram showing example modes of use where three or morecontrollers are used. FIG. 17 shows cases in which a total of fourcontrollers, i.e., two left controllers 3 a and 3 b and two rightcontrollers 4 a and 4 b, are used. Note that it is assumed here that thecontrollers are detached from the main unit 2. When four controllers areused, one can possibly conceive at least a mode in which four users eachuse one controller (FIG. 17(a)), and a mode in which two users each usetwo controllers (specifically, a pair of left and right controllers)(FIG. 17(b)).

(Mode in which Each User Uses One Controller)

In FIG. 17(a), each user uses one of the four controllers 3 a, 3 b, 4 aand 4 b. That is, in the present embodiment, where four controllers areprovided, four users, User A to User D, are allowed to performoperations each using a controller. For example, based on an operationperformed on a controller, the information processing device 1 executesan information process of controlling the action of an object associatedwith that controller. Note that also in the modes of use shown in FIG.17, as in the modes of use shown in FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, each user isallowed to perform an operation on an operation section provided on thecontroller and/or to perform an operation of moving the controlleritself.

In FIG. 17(a), the main unit 2 communicates, in wireless communication,with each of the four controllers 3 a, 3 b, 4 a and 4 b. In the presentembodiment, the main unit 2 distinguishes the four controllers 3 a, 3 b,4 a and 4 b from one another. That is, the main unit 2 identifies fromwhich of the four controllers the operation data has been received. Notethat in the case of FIG. 17(a), the main unit 2 distinguishes betweenthe left controller 3 a and the left controller 3 b, and distinguishesbetween the right controller 4 a and the right controller 4 b. Note thatthe method for distinguishing each controller will be described later.

(Mode in which Each User Uses a Pair of Controllers)

In FIG. 17(b), each user uses a pair of controllers from the fourcontrollers 3 a, 3 b, 4 a and 4 b. That is, User A uses a pair of theleft controller 3 a and the right controller 4 a, and User B uses a pairof the left controller 3 b and the right controller 4 b. Thus, in thepresent embodiment, where four controllers are provided, two users caneach operate a pair of controllers (which can also be referred to as aset of controllers).

The information processing device 1 executes an information processusing, as a set of data, two pieces of operation data received from apair of controllers. For example, based on operations performed on apair of controllers, the information processing device 1 executes aninformation process of controlling the action of an object associatedwith the pair of controllers. Specifically, the action of the firstobject is controlled based on operations performed on the leftcontroller 3 a and the right controller 4 a, and the action of thesecond object is controlled based on operations performed on the leftcontroller 3 b and the right controller 4 b.

Now, in the present embodiment, in the mode of use shown in FIG. 17(b),the main unit 2 registers each pair of a left controller and a rightcontroller used by a single user. The main unit 2 executes aninformation process by using operation data from the two controllersincluded in the registered pair as a set of data (e.g., as operationdata for controlling one control object).

While there is no particular limitation on the method for registering apair of controllers, a left controller and a right controller can beattached to the main unit 2 so as to register the controllers as a pair,in the present embodiment. That is, the main unit 2 registers, as a pairof controllers, a left controller and a right controller that areattached thereto at the same time. For example, when registering pairsof controllers shown in FIG. 17(b), a user first attaches the leftcontroller 3 a and the right controller 4 a to the main unit 2 anddetaches these two controllers, i.e., the left controller 3 a and theright controller 4 a from the main unit 2, after which the othercontrollers, i.e., the left controller 3 b and the right controller 4 b,are attached to the main unit 2. Then, a pair of the left controller 3 aand the right controller 4 a and a pair of the left controller 3 b andthe right controller 4 b can be registered with the main unit 2. Notethat the details of the pairing process will be described later.

Note that where three or more controllers are used, the informationprocessing system can be used in various other modes, other than themodes of use shown in FIG. 17. For example, the information processingsystem can be used in a mode in which a user uses a pair of left andright controllers while another user uses one controller. For example, auser can use a controller or controllers attached to the main unit 2while another user uses a controller or controllers detached from themain unit 2.

[3-4. Mode in which Image is Displayed on TV]

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the informationprocessing device 1 is attached to the cradle 5, the informationprocessing device 1 can output images (and sound) to the TV 6 via thecradle 5. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example mode of use whereimages are displayed on a TV. As shown in FIG. 18, the informationprocessing system in the present embodiment can use the TV 6 as adisplay device (and a sound output device).

[3-4-1. Operation when Image is Displayed on TV]

FIG. 19 is diagram showing an example operation flow in which images aredisplayed on a TV. The operation of switching from a mode in which theinformation processing device 1 is used as a portable device to a modein which it is used as a console device (i.e., using the TV 6 as adisplay device) will be described. Note that it is assumed here that thecradle 5 is connected to the TV 6 in advance. It is also assumed that acharging device (not shown) (e.g., an AC adaptor) is connected to thepower terminal 134 of the cradle 5, and the cradle 5 is receivingcommercial power supply.

First, a user uses the information processing device 1 as a portabledevice, i.e., in a state in which it is not attached to the cradle ((1)shown in FIG. 19(a)). In this state, when switching to a mode in whichthe information processing device 1 is used as a console device, theuser attaches the information processing device 1 to the cradle 5 ((2)shown in FIG. 19(b)). Thus, the lower terminal 27 of the informationprocessing device 1 and the main body terminal 73 of the cradle 5 areconnected together. In this process, the information processing device 1with the controllers 3 and 4 attached thereto may be attached to thecradle 5, or the information processing device 1 with the controllers 3and 4 detached therefrom (i.e., the main unit 2) may be attached to thecradle 5.

Note that in the present embodiment, upon detecting the attachment ofthe information processing device 1 to the cradle 5, the informationprocessing device 1 turns off the display 12, the details of which willbe described later. Thus, in the present embodiment, the display 12 ofthe main unit 2 is not used when attached to the cradle 5. Note that inother embodiments, the main unit 2 may still display images on thedisplay 12 when attached to the cradle 5. In the present embodiment,upon detecting the detachment of the information processing device 1from the cradle 5, the information processing device 1 turns on thedisplay 12.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the informationprocessing device 1 can be attached to the cradle 5 either in thefront-facing orientation or in the back-facing orientation. This allowsa user to place the information processing device 1 in any orientation,thereby facilitating the attachment to the cradle 5.

Note that in other embodiments, the cradle 5 may be capable ofsupporting the information processing device 1 in the back-facingorientation (i.e., in an orientation in which the display 12 is hiddenfacing the second support 72) and not capable of supporting theinformation processing device 1 in the front-facing orientation (i.e.,in an orientation in which the display 12 is not hidden). In the presentembodiment, the display 12 is turned off when the information processingdevice 1 is placed in the cradle 5. Although turning off the display 12is the intended operation by the information processing device 1, a usermay possibly mistake the display 12 being turned off for a breakdown ora malfunction. This can be avoided by not allowing the informationprocessing device 1 to be placed in the cradle 5 in the front-facingorientation.

In the present embodiment, upon detecting the attachment of theinformation processing device 1 to the cradle 5, the cradle 5 startscharging the information processing device 1. That is, upon detectingthe attachment of the information processing device 1 to the cradle 5,the processing section 135 instructs the power control section 133 toperform an operation of supplying power from the power terminal 134 tothe main unit 2. As the power control section 133 starts this operation,the cradle 5 starts charging the main unit 2. That is, the battery 98 inthe main unit 2 is charged by the power supplied from the cradle 5 viathe lower terminal 27.

If a controller (specifically, the left controller 3 and/or the rightcontroller 4) is attached to the main unit 2 while the main unit 2 ischarged by the cradle 5, the main unit 2 charges the controller attachedthereto. That is, in such a case, the power control section 97 of themain unit 2 supplies the power from the cradle 5 via the lower terminal27 to the controller via a terminal corresponding to the controllerattached to the main unit 2 (specifically, the left-side terminal 17and/or the right-side terminal 21). Thus, the controller is charged.That is, when the left controller 3 is charged, the battery of the powersupply section 108 is charged by the power supplied via the terminal 42.When the right controller 4 is charged, the battery of the power supplysection 118 is charged by the power supplied via the terminal 64.

Note that in other embodiments, the cradle 5 may charge the main unit 2under a predetermined condition. For example, the power control section133 of the cradle 5 may perform charging on the condition that theremaining charge of the battery 98 of the main unit 2 attached to thecradle 5 is less than or equal to a predetermined level. Similarly, themain unit 2 may charge a controller under a predetermined condition. Forexample, the power control section 97 of the main unit 2 may performcharging on the condition that the remaining charge of the battery of acontroller attached to the main unit 2 is less than or equal to apredetermined level.

The above operation regarding charging may be executed even when thepower of the information processing device 1 is off. That is, even whenthe information processing device 1 is attached to the cradle 5 when thepower of the information processing device 1 is off, the cradle 5 maycharge the information processing device 1 (i.e., charge the main unit 2and/or controllers).

Moreover, in other embodiments, the main unit 2 may charge controllerswhen the main unit 2 is not attached to the cradle 5. This reduces thepossibility that a user can no longer play because the battery of thecontroller has run out even though the battery 98 of the main unit 2 isstill charged sufficiently. As described above, in the presentembodiment, the battery 98 of the main unit 2 has a greater chargingcapacity than the battery of a controller. Thus, it is possible tofurther reduce such a possibility described above.

When the information processing device 1 is attached to the cradle 5,under a predetermined condition, the information processing device 1outputs images (and sound) to the TV 6 and causes the TV 6 to output theimages (and the sound) ((3) shown in FIG. 19(c)). That is, theinformation processing device 1 transmits data of the images and thesound to be output to the cradle 5 under a predetermined condition. Notethat “the images and the sound to be output” in the present embodiment,refer to the images and the sound that are produced or obtained by aprogram (e.g., an OS program or an application program) running at apoint in time when the information processing device 1 is attached tothe cradle 5. For example, if a game application is running at such apoint in time, the information processing device 1 outputs, to thecradle 5, data of the images and the sound that are produced by the gameapplication. For example, if an application for obtaining andreproducing video images from the Internet is running at such a point intime, the information processing device 1 transmits, to the cradle 5,data of the images and the sound that are obtained by the application.

Note that there is no particular limitation on the condition for theimage and the sound to be output to be transmitted to the cradle 5(referred to as the “image output condition”), but the image outputcondition in the present embodiment is the satisfaction of Conditions 1to 3 below.

Condition 1: the cradle 5 is connected to the TV 6.

Condition 2: the cradle 5 is receiving power supply.

Condition 3: the cradle 5 is an authorized product (or a genuineproduct) (in other words, the cradle 5 is a product that is authorizedby the manufacturer of the information processing device 1).

When these three conditions are satisfied, the information processingdevice 1 determines that the image output condition is satisfied. Inthis case, the information processing device 1 transmits, to the cradle5, the image and the sound to be output. Note that in other embodiments,the information processing device 1 may use, as the image outputcondition, one or two conditions of Conditions 1 to 3 above, or may useother conditions, as the image output condition, in addition to (orinstead of) Conditions 1 to 3 above.

Upon receiving data of the images and the sound from the informationprocessing device 1, the cradle 5 transmits data of the images and thesound to the TV 6. Thus, “the images and the sound to be output” areoutput from the TV 6 ((3) shown in FIG. 19(c)). When the TV 6 is readyto output the images and the sound, a user is allowed to performoperations using controllers ((4) shown in FIG. 19(d)).

Note that when no image is displayed on the display 12 of theinformation processing device 1 (i.e., when the power is off, or when inthe sleep mode), no image is displayed on the TV 6 even if theinformation processing device 1 is attached to the cradle 5.

In the present embodiment, even if the image output condition is notsatisfied, the information processing device 1 turns off the imagedisplay on the display 12 while attached to the cradle 5. Note howeverthat in other embodiments, if the image output condition is notsatisfied, the information processing device 1 may resume the imagedisplay on the display 12.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the image display outputcan be switched from the display 12 to the TV 6 by attaching theinformation processing device 1 to the cradle 5 while images aredisplayed on the display 12 of the information processing device 1. Thatis, in the present embodiment, a user can easily (and seamlessly) switchthe image display output only by placing the information processingdevice 1 on the cradle 5.

Note that as described above, in the present embodiment, the informationprocessing device 1 can be used in a mode of use in which the images aredisplayed on the display 12 and a mode of use in which the images aredisplayed on the TV 6. Now, in the present embodiment, the informationprocessing device 1 changes its operation mode depending on these twomodes of use. That is, the information processing device 1 can operateat least in two different modes of the portable mode and the consolemode. In the portable mode, some of the functions of the informationprocessing device 1 are limited, the details of which will be describedlater. Note that the switching of the operation mode will be describedlater (see “[3-5. Changing operation mode]” and “[4-3. Mode settingprocess]”).

Note that in other embodiments, the information processing device 1 maybe allowed to communicate directly with the TV 6 (i.e., with no cradle 5interposed therebetween). Then, the information processing device 1 cantransmit the image and/or the sound directly to the TV 6. Note thatthere is no particular limitation on the communication method usedbetween the information processing device 1 and the TV 6, and it may be,for example, wired communication using a cable (e.g., an HDMI cable) orwireless communication. If the information processing device 1communicates directly with the TV 6, the cradle 5 may be used for thepurpose of charging the information processing device 1, for example.Also in such a case, as in the case of the embodiment described above,the information processing device 1 may transmit the image and/or thesound to the TV 6 at least on the condition that the informationprocessing device 1 is attached to the cradle 5.

[3-4-2. Mode of Use where Image is Displayed on TV]

Where the image and the sound are output from the TV 6, a user canperform operations by using a controller or controllers ((4) shown inFIG. 19). In the case described above, since the main unit 2 is attachedto the cradle 5, it is difficult to use the controllers 3 and 4 whilethe controllers 3 and 4 are attached to the main unit 2. Therefore, inthe case described above, a user may perform operations by using acontroller or controllers detached from the main unit 2. For example, auser detaches the left controller 3 and/or the right controller 4 fromthe main unit 2 as necessary, and performs operations. Now, in thepresent embodiment, the controllers 3 and 4 can be detached from themain unit 2 by sliding them upward against the main unit 2. Therefore, auser can conveniently detach the controllers 3 and 4 from the main unit2 while the main unit 2 remains attached to the cradle 5.

Note that if controllers other than the controllers 3 and 4 attached tothe main unit 2 can communicate with the main unit 2 in wirelesscommunication, such other controllers may be used.

If a controller detached from the main unit 2 is used in a mode of usein which images are displayed on the TV 6, the controller and the mainunit 2 communicate with each other in wireless communication.

The mode of use where the TV 6 is used as a display device is similar tothe modes of use described above in “[3-2. Mode in which a pair ofcontrollers are used detached]” and “[3-3. Mode in which three or morecontrollers are used]”, except that the TV 6 is used instead of thedisplay 12. That is, in the present embodiment, also in the case wherethe TV 6 is used as a display device, as in the case in which thedisplay 12 is used, one user may perform operations using a pair ofcontrollers (see FIG. 18), or two users may perform operations eachusing one controller. When controllers other than the left controller 3and the right controller 4 are provided, three or more users may performoperations each using one controller, or two or more users may performoperations each using a pair of controllers.

[3-5. Changing Operation Mode]

As described above, in the present embodiment, the informationprocessing device 1 can be used in a mode of use in which images aredisplayed on the display 12 and a mode of use in which images aredisplayed on the TV 6. In the present embodiment, the informationprocessing device 1 changes its operation mode depending on these twomodes of use. That is, the information processing device 1 can operateat least in two different modes of the portable mode and the consolemode.

The portable mode is a mode in which the information processing device 1is used as a portable device. In the portable mode, images obtained orproduced by the information processing device 1 are displayed on thedisplay 12. Sound obtained or produced by the information processingdevice 1 is output from the speaker 88. In the portable mode, settingsof the information processing device 1 are changed as shown in (a) and(b) below.

(a) Setting for Limiting Processing Power of Main Unit 2

In the present embodiment, in the portable mode, the clock frequencyrange over which the CPU 81 is allowed to operate is limited. In thepresent embodiment, the clock frequency at which the CPU 81 is allowedto operate can be specified within a predetermined range by the programexecuted on the main unit 2. In the portable mode, the range over whicha clock frequency can be specified by the program is limited as comparedwith that in the console mode. For example, the range over which a clockfrequency can be specified in the console mode is X1 [Hz] or less,whereas it is limited to X2 (<X1) [Hz] in the portable mode. Note thatif the main unit 2 includes a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) in additionto a CPU, the range of processing power (i.e., clock frequency) may belimited for the CPU and/or for the GPU.

In the present embodiment, in the portable mode, the image renderingcapacity (which can also be referred to as the image generatingcapacity) is limited. Specifically, in the portable mode, the resolution(in other words, the number of pixels) of images generated by the mainunit 2 is lower than that in the console mode.

With the limitation (a) above, the amount of computation to be executedon the main unit 2 is limited in portable mode, and it is thereforepossible to reduce the heat generation and the power consumption of themain unit 2.

(b) Setting for Limiting Operation of Cooling Fan 96

In the present embodiment, in the portable mode, the operation of thecooling fan 96 is limited. Specifically, in the portable mode, therotations per minute (rpm) at which the cooling fan 96 is allowed tooperate (in other words, the fan speed) is limited to be lower than thehighest rpm at which the cooling fan 96 is allowed to operate in theconsole mode. For example, in the portable mode, the cooling fan 96 iscontrolled to operate at a predetermined rpm or less, which is lowerthan the maximum rpm.

With the limitation (b) above, it is possible to reduce the operationnoise of the cooling fan 96. In the portable mode, it is assumed that auser uses the main unit 2 close to the user. In view of this, in thepresent embodiment, since the operation noise of the cooling fan 96 canbe reduced in the portable mode, it is possible to reduce thepossibility that the user may feel the operation noise is too loud.

On the other hand, the console mode is a mode in which the informationprocessing device 1 is used as a console-type device. In the consolemode, images obtained or produced by the information processing device 1are displayed on the TV 6. The sound obtained or produced by theinformation processing device 1 is output from the speaker of the TV 6.In the console mode, the function suppressions in the portable mode arelifted. That is, in the console mode, the limitations (a) and (b)described above are lifted. Therefore, in the console mode, a programrunning on the information processing device 1 can make better use ofthe processing power of the CPU 81. The information processing device 1can display, on the TV 6, images of a higher resolution than in theportable mode. The information processing device 1 can be cooled by thecooling fan 96 more effectively than in the portable mode.

In the present embodiment, the switching between the portable mode andthe console mode is done as follows. That is, when the informationprocessing device 1 is attached to the cradle 5 and the image outputcondition described above is satisfied, the information processingdevice 1 switches the operation mode to the console mode. On the otherhand, when the information processing device 1 is detached from thecradle 5, the information processing device 1 switches the operationmode to the portable mode. Note that the switching of the operation modewill be described later (see FIG. 24).

Note that differences between settings in the portable mode and those inthe console mode are not limited to those described above. For example,in other embodiments, the information processing device 1 may imposeonly one of the limitations (a) and (b) described above in the portablemode. For example, in other embodiments, the information processingsystem may use different communication methods for the communicationwith external devices via a network (e.g., the Internet) (in otherwords, may switch between different communication methods) in theportable mode and in the console mode. For example, consider a case inwhich a predetermined network connection device is connected to thecradle 5, the predetermined network connection device having a functionof connecting to and communicating with the network. In such a case, inthe portable mode, the information processing device 1 may communicatewith the network using the network communication section 82. On theother hand, in the console mode, the information processing device 1 maycommunicate with the network via the cradle 5 and the network connectiondevice.

For example, in an application executed by the information processingdevice 1, settings in the application may be changed between theportable mode and the console mode. For example, in a game application,particulars of the game (e.g., the rules, the operation method, etc., ofthe game) may be changed between the portable mode and the console mode(see FIG. 25).

Note that the operation mode (the portable mode and the console mode) isof a different level from the ON mode and the sleep mode. That is, themain unit 2 may be either in the ON mode or in the sleep mode when theoperation mode is the portable mode. Or, the main unit 2 may be eitherin the ON mode or in the sleep mode when the operation mode is theconsole mode.

[4. Specific Example of Process of Information Processing System]

Next, some processes to be executed when the information processingsystem operates as described above will be described by way of morespecific examples.

[4-1. Registration Process]

As described above, in the present embodiment, the main unit 2 and thecontrollers 3 and 4 communicate with each other. Thus, the main unit 2executes a registration process for registering controllers so that themain unit 2 can identify controllers to communicate with the main unit2. Note that those controllers offered (specifically, sold) togetherwith the main unit 2 may be pre-registered with the main unit 2 at thetime of offering.

FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing an example flow of a registrationprocess executed on the main unit 2. In the present embodiment, theregistration process is executed in response to a controller beingattached to the main unit 2. That is, the main unit 2 detects theattachment of the left controller 3 or the right controller 4, andstarts executing the registration process shown in FIG. 20 in responseto detecting the attachment.

There is no particular limitation on the method for detecting acontroller being attached to the main unit 2. For example, the sensingmethod may be a method based on a signal state (e.g., a voltage state)at a predetermined pin included in the terminal of the main unit 2and/or controller. For example, the sensing method may be a method inwhich the subject device mechanically senses the connection of aterminal of another device thereto. The main unit 2 and a controller mayboth have the sensing function described above, or either one of themmay have the sensing function. Where only one of the devices has thesensing function, that device may indicate, to the other device, thatthe connection has been sensed, as necessary.

Note that the processes of the steps of the flow chart shown in FIG. 20(this similarly applies to the flow charts in FIG. 23 to FIG. 27 to bediscussed later) are merely illustrative, and the order of steps may beswitched around as long as similar results are obtained, and otherprocesses may be executed in addition to (or instead of) the process ofany step. While the present embodiment is described assuming that theprocesses of the steps of the flow chart are executed by the CPU 81 ofthe main unit 2, processes of some of the steps of the flow chart may beexecuted by a processor or a dedicated circuit other than the CPU 81.Some of the processes executed by the main unit 2 may be executed byanother information processing device capable of communicating with themain unit 2 (e.g., a server capable of communicating with the main unit2 via a network). That is, the processes shown in FIG. 20, FIG. 23 toFIG. 27 may be executed through a cooperation of a plurality ofinformation processing devices including the main unit 2.

In the registration process shown in FIG. 20, first, in step S1, the CPU81 determines whether or not the controller sensed to have been attachedto the main unit 2 has been registered. Now, in the present embodiment,the main unit 2 stores, in a storage section thereof (e.g., the flashmemory 84), registration information representing controllers that havebeen registered. The determination of step S1 is based on thisregistration information.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example registration information. In thepresent embodiment, the registration information is information in whichnumber information, identification information and wirelesscommunication information are associated together, as shown in FIG. 21.The number information is a number assigned to a registered controller.The indicator LED described above on the controller may be controlled torepresent a value based on this number.

The identification information is information representing a value(e.g., an ID) that is uniquely assigned to a controller. With thisidentification information, it is possible to uniquely identify acontroller. In the present embodiment, identification informationincludes information representing whether a controller is a leftcontroller or a right controller. That is, the main unit 2 can determinewhether a controller is a left controller or a right controller based onthe identification information assigned to the controller. Note that inother embodiments, the identification information does not need toinclude information representing whether a controller is a leftcontroller or a right controller. In such a case, the registrationinformation may include information representing whether a controller isa left controller or a right controller (separately from theidentification information). Note that the CPU 81 can determine whethera controller is a left controller or a right controller based on whetherthe identification information of the controller has been obtainedthrough the left-side terminal 17 or through the right-side terminal 21.

The wireless communication information indicates whether or not theconnection setting (i.e., pairing) of the device for wirelesscommunication with the main unit 2 has been done. That is, if thepairing between the main unit 2 and the controller has been done,information representing “registered” is stored as the wirelesscommunication information of the controller. On the other hand, if thepairing between the main unit 2 and the controller has not been done,information representing “unregistered” is stored as the wirelesscommunication information of the controller. Note that the main unit 2may store information regarding the connection setting for wirelesscommunication (separately from the registration information) so as toeliminate the need to perform pairing again for a controller for whichpairing has been done.

Note that a part of the registration information may be deleted orchanged in response to an instruction from a user. For example, the mainunit 2 may delete information regarding a specified controller or changea number assigned to the controller, in response to an instruction froma user.

Referring back to FIG. 20, in step S1 described above, the CPU 81 firstobtains identification information from a controller sensed to have beenattached. Note that it is assumed that a memory of a controller (e.g.,the memories 102 and 112) stores, in advance, identification informationassigned to the controller. A controller transmits the identificationinformation thereof to the main unit 2 in response to the controllerbeing connected to the main unit 2 or in response to a request from theCPU 81. The CPU 81 determines whether or not a controller sensed to havebeen attached has been registered based on whether or not the obtainedidentification information is included in the registration information.If the determination result of step S1 is negative, the process of stepS2 is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result of stepS1 is affirmative, the process of step S3 is executed, skipping theprocess of step S2.

In step S2, the CPU 81 registers a controller sensed to have beenattached. That is, the CPU 81 updates the registration informationstored in the storage section so that the number information, theidentification information and the wireless communication information ofthe controller are associated together and added to the registrationinformation. The number information may be, for example, informationrepresenting a number that has not been used for any other registeredcontroller. The identification information may be identificationinformation obtained from the controller in step S1 described above. Thewireless communication information is set to “unregistered” sincepairing has not been done at this point in time. Following step S2, theprocess of step S3 is executed.

In step S3, the CPU 81 determines whether or not both a left controllerand a right controller are attached to the main unit 2. That is, it isdetermined whether or not the attachment of the left controller 3 andthe right controller 4 to the main unit 2 can be sensed at the presentpoint in time. If the determination result of step S3 is affirmative,the process of step S4 is executed. On the other hand, if thedetermination result of step S3 is negative, the CPU 81 ends theregistration process, skipping the process of step S4.

In step S4, the CPU 81 registers the left controller 3 and the rightcontroller 4 attached to the main unit 2 as a pair. Now, in the presentembodiment, the main unit 2 stores pairing information representing apair of a left controller and a right controller in the storage section(e.g., the flash memory 84).

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of pairing information. In thepresent embodiment, as shown in FIG. 22, the pairing information isinformation in which left identification information and rightidentification information are associated together. The leftidentification information is identification information of a leftcontroller registered as a pair, from among registered controllers (inother words, controllers represented by identification informationincluded in the registration information). The right identificationinformation is identification information of a right controllerregistered as a pair, from among registered controllers (in other words,controllers represented by identification information included in theregistration information). Left identification information and rightidentification information that are associated together in the pairinginformation represent a pair of a left controller and a rightcontroller.

In step S4 described above, the CPU 81 first obtains identificationinformation of the left controller and the right controller attached tothe main unit 2. Note that for a controller whose identificationinformation has been obtained in step S1 described above, theidentification information does not need to be obtained again. Next, theCPU 81 adds, to the pairing information, the obtained identificationinformation of the left controller and that of the right controller,while they are associated together. That is, the CPU 81 updates pairinginformation so as to add the pair of two identification informationobtained to the pairing information (strictly speaking, unupdatedpairing information). Then, the updated pairing information is stored inthe storage section. Note that if information representing the pair oftwo identification information is already included in the pairinginformation, the CPU 81 does not need to update the pairing information.If information representing a pair including one of the twoidentification information is already included in the pairinginformation, the CPU 81 deletes such a pair from the pairinginformation. Thus, any pair including one of two controllers that areincluded in a pair to be registered is unregistered (i.e., deleted fromthe pairing information). After step S4, the CPU 81 ends theregistration process.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in response to acontroller being attached to the main unit 2, the controller isregistered with the main unit 2. Thus, a user can easily registercontrollers. In the present embodiment, since the registration processis executed when the main unit 2 and the controllers communicate witheach other in wired communication, it is possible to reduce thepossibility that the main unit 2 cannot obtain information(specifically, identification information) from controllers, and toreduce the possibility that registration fails.

In the present embodiment, in response to a left controller and a rightcontroller being both attached to the main unit 2, these two controllersare registered as a pair. A user can attach any two controllers that theuser wishes to use as a pair to the main unit 2, and the user cantherefore register a pair through an easy and straightforward operation.

Note that in the present embodiment, an accessory (see FIG. 31) may beprovided to which a left controller and a right controller can beattached at the same time, the details of which will be described later.Then, when a left controller and a right controller are both attached tothe accessory, the main unit 2 registers these two controllers as apair, as when a left controller and a right controller are both attachedto the main unit 2. The details of such a pairing process will bedescribed in “[5-2. Accessory for controllers]” below.

Note that the main unit 2 may register, as a pair, two controllersattached to the main unit 2 at the same time as in the embodimentdescribed above, or may register, as a pair, two controllers that arenot attached to the main unit 2 at the same time, unlike in theembodiment described above. For example, the main unit 2 may register,as a pair, a left controller last attached thereto and a rightcontroller last attached thereto.

Note that in other embodiments, any other pairing method may be used forregistering pairs of controllers. For example, the main unit 2 mayregister, as a pair, two controllers on which a predetermined operationis performed within a predetermined period of time. Specifically, themain unit 2 prompts a user to perform a predetermined operation inresponse to satisfaction of a predetermined condition (e.g., a pairinginstruction has been received from a user). Then, the main unit 2registers, as a pair, two controllers on which the predeterminedoperation is performed within a predetermined period of time from theprompting, from among two or more controllers being in communicationwith the main unit 2. Note that the “predetermined operation” may be,for example, an operation of pressing A button, or may be an operationof bumping two controllers against each other (this operation can bedetermined, for example, based on detection results of an accelerationsensor).

[4-2. Wireless Setting Process]

As described above, in the present embodiment, the main unit 2 and thecontrollers 3 and 4 may communicate with each other in wirelesscommunication. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the informationprocessing device 1 performs a registration (referred to also aspairing) for enabling wireless communication between the main unit 2 andthe controllers. Note that those controllers offered (specifically,sold) together with the main unit 2 may be pre-registered with the mainunit 2 for wireless communication at the time of offering.

In the present embodiment, the main unit 2 executes a wireless settingprocess for enabling wireless communication with controllers. FIG. 23 isa flow chart showing an example flow of a wireless setting processexecuted on the main unit 2. In the present embodiment, the wirelesssetting process is executed in response to a controller being removedfrom the main unit 2. That is, the main unit 2 senses the removal of theleft controller 3 or the right controller 4, and starts executing thewireless setting process shown in FIG. 23 in response to the removal(referred to as “detachment”). Note that although there is no particularlimitation on the method for sensing the detachment of a controller fromthe main unit 2, a similar method to the method for sensing theattachment of a controller to the main unit 2 may be used, for example.

In the wireless setting process, first, in step S11, the CPU 81determines whether or not the controller sensed to have been detachedfrom the main unit 2 has been paired for wireless communication. Thisdetermination can be done by using the registration informationdescribed above. That is, if wireless communication information includedin the registration information indicates “registered” for thecontroller sensed to have been detached, the CPU 81 determines that thecontroller has been paired for wireless communication. On the otherhand, if wireless communication information included in the registrationinformation indicates “unregistered” for the controller sensed to havebeen detached, the CPU 81 determines that the controller has not beenpaired for wireless communication. If the determination result of stepS11 is negative, the process of step S12 is executed. On the other hand,if the determination result of step S11 is affirmative, the CPU 81 endsthe wireless setting process, skipping the process of step S12.

In step S12, the CPU 81 executes a pairing process for enabling wirelesscommunication with a controller sensed to have been detached. Thepairing process in the present embodiment may be similar to a pairingprocess of a conventional communication technique in accordance with theBluetooth (registered trademark) standard. Note that in the presentembodiment, a controller executes the pairing process in response tobeing removed from the main unit 2, the details of which will bedescribed later. Thus, the main unit 2 and the controller are pairedtogether, establishing a wireless connection therebetween. Followingstep S12, step S13 is executed.

In step S13, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the pairing with thecontroller sensed to have been detached has succeeded. Note that theprocess of step S13 is executed after lapse of a predetermined period oftime from the execution of step S12. If the determination result of stepS13 is affirmative, the process of step S14 is executed. On the otherhand, if the determination result of step S13 is negative, the CPU 81ends the wireless setting process, skipping the process of step S14.

In step S14, the CPU 81 updates the registration information. That is,the CPU 81 changes the wireless communication information included inthe registration information to “registered” for the controller sensedto have been detached. Following step S14, the CPU 81 ends the wirelesssetting process.

In the present embodiment, for the wireless setting process, thecontrollers 3 and 4 execute a similar process (referred to as a“controller-side wireless setting process”) to that of the main unit 2.Specifically, a controller stores registration information in a storagesection (e.g., the memories 102 and/or 112), wherein identificationinformation of the main unit to which the controller is attached andwireless communication information indicating that whether or not thecontroller has been paired with the main unit are associated together inthe registration information. A controller (specifically, thecommunication control section 101 or 111) determines whether or not ithas been paired with the main unit 2 in response to the removal from themain unit 2. If it has not been paired, the controller executes thepairing process. Moreover, the controller determines whether or not thepairing has succeeded, and updates the registration information if thepairing has succeeded. Thus, in the present embodiment, when acontroller is removed from the main unit 2, the main unit 2 and thecontroller each perform the pairing process, and a wireless connectionis established upon successful pairing.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in response to theremoval of a controller from the main unit 2, a setting process forwireless communication between the main unit 2 and the controller isexecuted to establish a wireless connection. In the present embodiment,a controller communicates in wired communication while it is attached tothe main unit 2, and in wireless communication while it is removed fromthe main unit 2. Therefore, by executing the setting process when thecontroller is removed from the main unit 2, it is possible to establisha wireless connection with appropriate timing. Note that in the presentembodiment, since a controller is registered when the controller isattached to the main unit 2 for the first time, the setting process isexecuted when the controller is removed from the main unit 2 for thefirst time. Then, it is possible to reduce the possibility that “thewireless connection is not established when a registered controller isremoved from the main unit 2”, thus providing the information processingdevice 1 that is easy to use for a user. Moreover, according to thepresent embodiment, a user can easily cause the information processingdevice 1 to execute the setting process described above by removing acontroller from the main unit 2.

Note that the condition on which the setting process for wirelesscommunication is executed on the information processing device 1 may beany condition, and it not limited to the removal of a controller fromthe main unit 2. For example, in other embodiments, the setting processmay be executed in response to a controller being attached to the mainunit 2. For example, in other embodiments, the setting process may beexecuted in response to an instruction from a user. Specifically, themain unit 2 may execute the wireless setting process (FIG. 23) inresponse to a predetermined instruction from a user. The predeterminedinstruction may be given by a user selecting a predetermined itemdisplayed on a menu screen, or may be given by a user pressing apredetermined button provided on the main unit 2. Moreover, in responseto a predetermined instruction from a user, a controller may execute the“controller-side wireless setting process” described above. Thispredetermined instruction may be given by pressing down a predeterminedbutton provided on the controller.

In the present embodiment, when a controller is removed from the mainunit 2, the main unit 2 and the controller each determine whether or notthe controller and the main unit 2 have been paired together, so thatthe pairing process is executed if they have not been paired together.In other embodiments, the main unit 2 and the controller may execute thepairing process, upon removal of the controller from the main unit 2,without performing the determination process.

(Operation on Controller)

In the present embodiment, if a controller is attached to the main unit2, the controller regards the main unit 2 as its communication partner.That is, the controller transmits operation data in wired communicationto the main unit 2, to which the controller is attached. On the otherhand, if a controller is not attached to the main unit 2 but thecontroller has been paired with another main unit 2, the controllerregards the other main unit 2 as its communication partner. That is, thecontroller transmits operation data in wireless communication to theother main unit 2, with which the controller has been paired. Thus, inthe present embodiment, the controller transmits operation data to themain unit 2, irrespective of whether it is attached to the main unit 2.Note that in the present embodiment, if a controller has been pairedwith a plurality of main units 2, the controller regards one main unitthat satisfies a predetermined condition as its communication partner.Although there is no particular limitation on the predeterminedcondition, it may be, for example, “being the main unit with which thecontroller has last been paired”. Note that if a controller is notattached to the main unit 2 and there is no main unit 2 with which thecontroller has been paired, the controller does not transmit operationdata.

If a controller is able to communicate with a main unit 2, thecontroller repeatedly transmits operation data to the main unit 2, asits communication partner, at a rate of once per a predetermined periodof time. If there is no main unit 2 with which a controller is able tocommunicate (i.e., where the main unit 2 as its communication partnerhas been turned OFF or set in the sleep mode), the controller stopstransmitting operation data to a main unit 2. If there is newly a mainunit 2 with which a controller is able to communicate (i.e., where themain unit 2 as its communication partner has been turned ON or set inthe ON mode), the controller resumes transmitting operation data to themain unit 2.

[4-3. Mode Setting Process]

As described above, in the present embodiment, the informationprocessing device 1 operates in the portable mode and in the consolemode. Therefore, the information processing device 1 executes a process(referred to as the “mode setting process”) of switching the operationmode between the portable mode and the console mode.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart showing an example flow of a mode settingprocess executed on the main unit 2. In the present embodiment, whilethe power of the main unit 2 is ON, a series of processes of steps S21to S29 shown in FIG. 24 is executed repeatedly. Note that in the presentembodiment, it is assumed that at the start of the process (i.e., whenthe power is turned ON), the operation mode of the main unit 2 is set tothe portable mode.

In the mode setting process, first, in step S21, the CPU 81 determineswhether or not the main unit 2 is attached to the cradle 5. Note thatthere is no particular limitation on the method for sensing theattachment of the main unit 2 to the cradle 5. For example, the CPU 81may perform the sensing based on a signal state (e.g., a voltage state)at a predetermined pin included in the terminal of the main unit 2and/or the cradle 5. If the determination result of step S21 isaffirmative, the process of step S22 is executed. On the other hand, ifthe determination result of step S21 is negative, the process of stepS21 is executed again. That is, while the operation mode is the portablemode and the main unit 2 is not attached to the cradle 5, the CPU 81repeatedly executes the process of step S21. The process of step S21 isexecuted at a rate of once per a predetermined period of time, forexample.

In step S22, the CPU 81 turns off the display 12. Specifically, the CPU81 stops supplying power to the display 12. The CPU 81 also stopsoutputting image data to the display 12. Following step S22, the processof step S23 is executed.

As described above, the main unit 2 turns OFF the display 12 at a pointwhen the main unit 2 is attached to the cradle 5. Note that in otherembodiments, the main unit 2 may turn OFF the display 12 at a point whenthe image is output from the main unit 2 to the TV 6, rather thanturning OFF the display 12 (i.e., the display 12 is left ON) at thepoint when the main unit 2 is attached to the cradle 5. In otherembodiments, the main unit 2 may not turn OFF the display 12 even whenthe image is output from the main unit 2 to the TV 6 so that the imageis displayed both on the display 12 and on the TV 6. Then, the cradle 5may be configured so that the display 12 can be viewed while the mainunit 2 is attached to the cradle 5. The main unit 2 may generate twodifferent images so that different images are displayed on the TV 6 andon the display 12.

In step S23, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the image outputcondition is satisfied. That is, the CPU 81 determines whether or notConditions 1 to 3 described above are satisfied. Note that Conditions 1to 3 can be determined based on information obtained from the cradle 5.Specifically, for “Condition 1: the cradle 5 is connected to the TV 6”,the CPU 81 may obtain information from the cradle 5 that indicateswhether or not the cradle 5 is connected to the TV 6, and make thedetermination based on the obtained information. For “Condition 2: thecradle 5 is receiving power supply”, the CPU 81 may obtain informationfrom the cradle 5 that indicates whether or not power is supplied fromthe power terminal 134 to the cradle 5, and make the determination basedon the obtained information. For “Condition 3: the cradle 5 is anauthorized product”, the CPU 81 may obtain predetermined informationwith which it is possible to identify an authorized product, and makethe determination based on the obtained information. Note that thepredetermined information may for example be identification informationassigned to the cradle or information that shows predetermined contentif the product is an authorized product (in other words, informationthat shows different content if the product is not an authorizedproduct). The CPU 81 obtains the information at a predetermined timingfrom the cradle 5, and determines whether or not the image outputcondition is satisfied based on the obtained information. There is noparticular limitation on the predetermined timing, but it may be, forexample, when the main unit 2 is attached to the cradle 5 or when stepS23 is executed.

If the determination result of step S23 is affirmative, the process ofstep S25 to be described later is executed. On the other hand, if thedetermination result of step S23 is negative, the process of step S24 isexecuted. Note that in this case, no image will be displayed on the TV 6even though a user has attached the information processing device 1 tothe cradle 5. Therefore, the information processing device 1 mayindicate to the user that no image will be displayed on the TV 6. Forexample, the information processing device 1 may indicate by outputtinga sound from the speaker 88 or by displaying an image on the display 12.For example, if the cradle 5 includes an indicator light-emittingportion (e.g., an LED provided on the sleep button 74), the informationprocessing device 1 may indicate by controlling the light-emittingportion. If an indicator light-emitting portion is provided on thecradle 5, the information processing device 1 may control thelight-emitting portion so as to indicate whether the operation mode isthe portable mode or the console mode.

In step S24, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the main unit 2 hasbeen removed from the cradle 5. If the determination result of step S24is affirmative, the process of step S29 to be described later isexecuted. On the other hand, if the determination result of step S24 isnegative, the process of step S23 described above is executed again.That is, while the main unit 2 is attached to the cradle 5 and the imageoutput condition is not satisfied, the CPU 81 repeatedly executes aseries of processes of steps S23 and S24. The series of processes isrepeatedly executed at a rate of once per a predetermined period oftime.

In step S25, the CPU 81 outputs images to the TV 6. That is, the CPU 81outputs data of “the images and the sound to be output” to the cradle 5via the lower terminal 27. The cradle 5 transfers the data to the TV 6.That is, the format of the data is converted through the conversionsection 131 of the cradle 5, and the data is output to the TV 6 via themonitor terminal 132. Thus, the images and the sound are output from theTV 6. After the process of step S25, the CPU 81 repeatedly executes theprocess of outputting the images to the TV 6. This process is continueduntil the information processing device 1 ends the image display (e.g.,the power of the information processing device 1 is turned OFF, or theinformation processing device 1 is set in the sleep mode), or until theoperation mode is changed to the portable mode. Following step S25, theprocess of step S26 is executed.

In step S26, the CPU 81 changes the operation mode to the console mode.That is, the CPU 81 changes the settings of the main unit 2 so as tolift the functional limitations of the main unit 2 in the portable modeas described in “[3-5. Changing operation mode]” above. Following stepS26, the process of step S27 is executed.

In step S27, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the main unit 2 hasbeen removed from the cradle 5. If the determination result of step S27is affirmative, the process of step S28 is executed. On the other hand,if the determination result of step S27 is negative, the process of stepS27 is executed again. That is, while the operation mode is the consolemode, the CPU 81 repeatedly executes the process of step S27. Theprocess of step S27 is executed at a rate of once per a predeterminedperiod of time, for example.

In step S28, the CPU 81 changes the operation mode to the portable mode.That is, the CPU 81 changes the settings of the main unit 2 so as toimpose functional limitations on the main unit 2 as described in “[3-5.Changing operation mode]” above. The CPU 81 also stops the image outputto the TV 6. Following step S28, the process of step S29 is executed.

In step S29, the CPU 81 outputs images to the display 12. That is, theCPU 81 displays the “images to be output” on the display 12. The CPU 81also outputs the “sound to be output” from the speaker 88 (or the soundinput/output terminal 25). After the process of step S29, the CPU 81repeatedly executes the process of outputting images to the display 12.Following step S29, the process of step S21 is executed again.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the informationprocessing device 1 can switch between the portable mode, in whichimages are displayed on the display 12, and the console mode, in whichimages are displayed on the TV 6. Now, the condition for changing theoperation mode to the console mode (in other words, the image outputcondition) may be any condition. For example, the condition may be asfollows.

In other embodiments, the image output condition may include a conditionthat “there has been a user instruction to output images to the TV 6”.For example, the cradle 5 may include an output instruction button forgiving an instruction to output the images obtained or produced by theinformation processing device 1 to the TV 6. Then, the informationprocessing device 1 may use, as one of the image output conditions, acondition that “the output instruction button has been pressed while theinformation processing device 1 is attached to the cradle 5”.

In other embodiments, the image output condition may include a conditionthat “the TV 6 is capable of displaying the images from the cradle 5”.Specifically, this condition is that the power of the TV 6 is ON and theinput select setting thereof is such that input images from the cradle 5are displayed. By using image output conditions including the conditiondescribed above, it is possible to avoid a situation where no image isdisplayed on the TV 6 even though images are output from the informationprocessing device 1 via the cradle 5.

In addition, the information processing device 1 may further perform acontrol, over the TV 6, to turn ON the power of the TV 6, and/or toswitch the input select so as to display an input from the cradle 5.Then, a user does not need to operate the TV 6 so as to satisfy thecondition described above (i.e., that the TV 6 is able to display theimages from the cradle 5), and it is possible to easily display theimage on the TV 6. Note that the information processing device 1 canperform a control as described above by causing the cradle 5 to transmita control signal (e.g., a CEC command of the HDMI standard) to the TV 6.

The information processing device 1 may change the image outputcondition in response to an instruction from a user. For example, theinformation processing device 1 may present a plurality of differentconditions, as the image output conditions, on a predetermined settingchanging screen, and allow a user to select one of the conditions. Thisis convenient for a user because the user can choose a condition thatsuits the user's way of using the device.

For example, where the cradle 5 is provided with an output instructionbutton as described above, information processing system may use aswitching-type button as the output instruction button so as to allow auser to change the condition. That is, a first state and a second statecan be switched from one to another by pressing the output instructionbutton of the cradle 5. Then, if the output instruction button is in thefirst state, the information processing device 1 interprets this to meanthat there is a user instruction to output the images on the TV 6,whereas if the output instruction button is in the second state, theinformation processing device 1 interprets this to mean that there is nouser instruction to output the images on the TV 6. Thus, a user cancause the images to be output on the TV 6 (under a certain condition) inresponse to the attachment of the main unit 2 to the cradle, by leavingthe output instruction button in the first state.

In the description above, it can be said that based on thepresence/absence of the user instruction described above, theinformation processing device 1 determines whether a user has attachedthe information processing device 1 to the cradle 5 merely for charging,or has attached the information processing device 1 to the cradle 5 todisplay the images on the TV 6. Now, in other embodiments, theinformation processing device 1 may make the determination above by anyother method.

For example, the information processing device 1 may make thedetermination described above based on the state of the informationprocessing device 1 regarding the execution of an application. Now, “thestate of the information processing device 1 regarding the execution ofan application” is, for example, a state regarding whether anapplication is running on the information processing device 1 or a stateregarding whether the images produced or obtained by a runningapplication are displayed on the display 12. Specifically, if anapplication is running or if the images produced or obtained by arunning application are displayed on the display 12, the informationprocessing device 1 may determine that a user has attached theinformation processing device 1 to the cradle 5 in order to display theimages on the TV 6. Therefore, in such a case, the informationprocessing device 1 may output the images to the TV 6 on the conditionthat the image output condition is satisfied. That is, the images outputcondition may include a condition that “an application is running or theimage produced or obtained by a running application are displayed on thedisplay 12”.

In other embodiments, the information processing device 1 may store, ina storage section (e.g., the flash memory 84), the operation mode at thepoint in time when the power of the information processing device 1 isturned OFF. Then, when the power of the information processing device 1is turned ON, if the operation mode stored in the storage sectionindicates the portable mode, the information processing device 1 mayexecute the mode setting process from step S21, whereas if the operationmode stored in the storage section indicates the console mode, theinformation processing device 1 may execute the mode setting processfrom step S27. Thus, the operation mode of the information processingdevice 1 at the time of power-off can be carried on when the power isnext turned ON.

[4-4. Example of Executing Information Process Depending on OperationMode]

As described above, in the present embodiment, the informationprocessing device 1 operates one of operation modes including theportable mode and the console mode. Therefore, in the informationprocessing device 1, information processes executed by various programsexecuted on the main unit 2 (e.g., the OS program and applicationprograms) may be of different content between the portable mode and theconsole mode. An example information process, in which a differentprocess is executed depending on the operation mode, will now bedescribed.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing an example flow of an informationprocess executed on the main unit 2. A series of information processesshown in FIG. 25 is performed as the CPU 81 executes a program (e.g., anapplication program or an OS program) that is executable by theinformation processing device 1, for example. For example, if a programto be executed is an application program, the series of informationprocesses shown in FIG. 25 is started in response to a user instructionto launch the application program. For example, if a program to beexecuted is an OS program, the series of information processes shown inFIG. 25 is started in response to the power of the main unit 2 beingturned ON.

In the series of information processes shown in FIG. 25, first, in stepS31, the CPU 81 obtains operation data from each controller. Forexample, the CPU 81 may obtain operation data from any controller withwhich the CPU 81 can communicate whether in wired communication orwireless communication. Note that the main unit 2 may obtain operationdata with substantially the same frequency from controllers it iscommunicating in wired communication and from controllers it iscommunicating in wireless communication. Then, since there is nodifference between controllers depending on their communication method,it is possible to improve the controllability of controllers. Followingstep S31 described above, the process of step S32 is executed.

Depending on the program related to the series of information processes,the CPU 81 may obtain operation data from controllers that satisfy apredetermined condition and not obtain operation data from controllersthat do not satisfy the condition. For example, the predeterminedcondition may be a communication-related condition. That is, the CPU 81may obtain operation data from controllers that communicate with themain unit 2 in wired communication and not obtain operation data fromcontrollers that communicate with the main unit 2 in wirelesscommunication. For example, the predetermined condition may be acondition regarding the function of a controller. That is, the CPU 81may obtain operation data from controllers having a predeterminedfunction (e.g., controllers having an analog stick, controllers havingthe NFC communication function, controllers having an accelerationsensor, etc.) and not obtain operation data from controllers not havingthese predetermined functions. If there is a controller that is capableof communication but that does not obtain operation data, the main unit2 may indicate to the user that the controller is not available for useon the running program.

Note that in other embodiments, instead of the CPU 81 not obtainingoperation data from controllers that do not satisfy a predeterminedcondition, the CPU 81 may not use the operation data obtained from thecontrollers that do not satisfy the predetermined condition in theprocess or step S33 or S34 to be described later.

In step S32, the CPU 81 determines whether or not the operation mode ofthe information processing device 1 is the portable mode (i.e., whetherit is the portable mode or the console mode). The information processingdevice 1 has information indicating the current operation mode stored ina predetermined storage section (e.g., the flash memory 84). Thedetermination of step S32 is made based on this information. If thedetermination result of step S32 is affirmative (i.e., if the operationmode is the portable mode), the process of step S33 is executed. On theother hand, if the determination result of step S32 is negative (i.e.,if the operation mode is the console mode), the process of step S34 isexecuted again.

In step S33, the CPU 81 executes an information process based onoperation data in accordance with settings in the portable mode. Asdescribed above, in the portable mode, the processing power of the mainunit 2 is limited. That is, the CPU 81 executes the information processunder such a limitation. For example, the CPU 81 executes apredetermined process (e.g., a game process) using, as an input, theoperation data obtained in step S31, and produces images representingthe process results, which are displayed on the display 12. Followingstep S33, the process of step S35 to be described later is executed.

On the other hand, in step S34, the CPU 81 executes an informationprocess based on operation data in accordance with settings in theconsole mode. As described above, in the console mode, the limitation onthe processing power of the main unit 2 is lifted. For example, the CPU81 may execute a predetermined process (e.g., a game process) using, asan input, the operation data obtained in step S31, and produces imagesrepresenting the process results, which are displayed on the TV 6.Following step S33, the process of step S35 to be described later isexecuted.

Depending on the program related to the series of information processes,the CPU 81 may use different content of the predetermined process to beexecuted in steps S33 and S34 described above depending on the operationmode. For example, if the program is a game program (i.e., if a gameapplication is executed), the information processing device 1 may usedifferent game content depending on the operation mode. Specifically,levels that can be played may differ between the portable mode and theconsole mode, and there may be levels that can only be played in theportable mode or there may be levels that can only be played in theconsole mode. Also, the game mode may differ in the portable mode and inthe console mode.

For example, if the screen display settings can be changed, theinformation processing device 1 may use different screen displaysettings for each operation mode. Note that the “screen displaysettings” refer, for example, to those settings that are directed to thesize of icons on the menu screen and various information to be displayedtogether with images representing the game space (e.g., imagesrepresenting the status of the player character, the map image, etc.).Therefore, in the portable mode, for example, since the images aredisplayed on the display 12 whose screen size is assumed to be small,graphical symbols such as icons are displayed to be larger with respectto the displayed images (in other words, the display screen), whereas inthe console mode, since the images are displayed on the TV 6 whosescreen size is assumed to be large, those graphical symbols may bedisplayed to be smaller with respect to the displayed images.

In step S35, the CPU 81 determines whether or not to end the series ofinformation processes shown in FIG. 25. This determination is made basedon whether or not there has been a user instruction to end, for example.If the determination result of step S35 is negative, the process of stepS31 is executed again. Thereafter, the series of processes of steps S31to S35 is repeatedly executed until it is determined in step S35 thatthe series of information processes is to be ended. On the other hand,if the determination result of step S35 is affirmative, the CPU 81 endsthe series of information processes shown in FIG. 25.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the informationprocessing device 1 may be configured so that the OS or an applicationmay execute a different process depending on the operation mode. Then,for example, it is possible to give the user a different kind ofentertainment (e.g., a different game level or a different game mode)for each operation mode. For example, it is possible to save the troublefor the user to change settings by automatically changing settings(e.g., the screen display settings) depending on the operation mode.

[4-5. Example of Executing Information Process Depending on AttachedState of Controller]

As described above, in the present embodiment, the informationprocessing device 1 can be used both in a state in which a controller isremoved from the main unit 2 and a state in which they are attached tothe main unit 2. Therefore, the information processing device 1 may beconfigured so that the content of information processes to be executedby various programs executed on the main unit 2 (e.g., the OS programand application programs) may be different from each other depending onthe attached state of a controller to the main unit 2 (i.e., whether thecontroller is attached to or removed from the main unit 2). Examples ofinformation processes depending on the attached state of a controllerwill now be described below.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing an example flow of an informationprocess executed on the main unit 2. As is the series of processes shownin FIG. 25, the series of information processes shown in FIG. 26 isexecuted by an application program or an OS program executable on theinformation processing device 1, for example. As is the series ofprocesses shown in FIG. 25, the series of information processes shown inFIG. 26 is also started in response to a user instruction to launch anapplication program or in response to the power of the main unit 2 beingturned ON.

In the series of information processes shown in FIG. 26, first, in stepS41, the CPU 81 determines whether or not a controller is attached tothe main unit 2. In the present embodiment, the CPU 81 determineswhether or not a controller is attached to the main unit 2 for each ofthe left and right controllers 3 and 4. If it is determined that atleast one of the left and right controllers 3 and 4 is attached to themain unit 2, the determination result of step S41 is affirmative. If theleft and right controllers 3 and 4 are both removed from the main unit2, the determination result of step S41 is negative. If thedetermination result of step S41 is affirmative, the process of step S42is executed. On the other hand, if the determination result of step S41is negative, the process of step S43 to be described later is executed.

In step S42, the CPU 81 obtains operation data from a controllerattached to the main unit 2 via a wired connection. That is, the CPU 81obtains operation data received via the left-side terminal 17 and theright-side terminal 21. Note that where only one of the left and rightcontrollers 3 and 4 is attached, the CPU 81 obtains operation data onlyfrom the terminal corresponding to that controller. Note that theobtained operation data is stored in a predetermined storage section(e.g., the DRAM 85). Following step S42, the process of step S43 isexecuted.

In step S43, the CPU 81 obtains operation data from a controller removedfrom the main unit 2 via a wireless connection. That is, the CPU 81obtains operation data received via the controller communication section83. Note that if there are no controllers that are capable of wirelesscommunication (in other words, controllers that are transmittingoperation data to the main unit 2) at the point of step S43, the CPU 81may skip the process of step S43 since no operation data is received bythe controller communication section 83. Following step S43, the processof step S44 is executed.

In step S44, the CPU 81 executes a predetermined information processbased on the operation data obtained in steps S42 and S43. Note thatthere is no particular limitation on the content of the informationprocess. For example, if the running program is an OS program, the CPU81 may move a cursor across the menu screen based on the operation data,or identify an application selected by a user based on the operationdata to launch the identified application. If the running program is anapplication program, the CPU 81 may execute a process according to theapplication by using the operation data as an input to the application.Following step S44, the process of step S45 is executed.

In step S45, the CPU 81 outputs an image representing the result of theinformation process of step S44 to a display device (the display 12 orthe TV 6). For example, if the running program is an OS program, themenu screen described above is displayed on the display device. Forexample, if the running program is an application program, an image ofthe application (e.g., a game image in the game application) isdisplayed on the display device. Following step S45, the process of stepS46 is executed.

In step S46, the CPU 81 determines whether or not to end the series ofinformation processes shown in FIG. 26. This determination is made basedon whether or not there has been a user instruction to end, for example.If the determination result of step S46 is negative, the process of stepS41 executed again. Thereafter, the series of processes of steps S41 toS46 is repeatedly executed until it is determined in step S46 that theseries of information processes is to be ended. On the other hand, ifthe determination result of step S46 is affirmative, the CPU 81 ends theseries of information processes shown in FIG. 26.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the main unit 2 variesthe content of the process to be executed depending on the attachedstate of the controller. That is, if no controller is attached to themain unit 2, the main unit 2 skips the process of obtaining operationdata via wired communication. Thus, it is possible to simplify theprocess to be executed on the main unit 2.

Note that in the series of processes shown in FIG. 26, the main unit 2executes the process of obtaining operation data via wirelesscommunication (step S43), irrespective of the attached state of thecontroller. Now, depending on the application executed on the main unit2, if the determination result of step S41 is affirmative (i.e., if acontroller is attached to the main unit 2), the process of step S43 doesnot need to be executed. That is, depending on the running application,if a controller is attached, the main unit 2 may receive operation dataonly from the controller attached thereto while not accepting operationdata from the other, un-attached controller (via wirelesscommunication).

FIG. 27 is a flow chart showing an example flow of an informationprocess executed on the main unit 2. As is the series of processes shownin FIG. 25, the series of information processes shown in FIG. 27 isexecuted by an application program or an OS program executable on theinformation processing device 1, for example. As is the series ofprocesses shown in FIG. 25, the series of information processes shown inFIG. 27 is also started in response to a user instruction to launch anapplication program or in response to the power of the main unit 2 beingturned ON.

In the series of information processes shown in FIG. 27, first, in stepS51, the CPU 81 determines whether or not whether or not a controller isattached to the main unit 2. In the present embodiment, the CPU 81determines whether the left and right controllers 3 and 4 are bothattached to the main unit 2 or at least one of the left and rightcontrollers 3 and 4 is removed from the main unit 2. Note however thatin other embodiments, the CPU 81 may determine whether at least one ofthe left and right controllers 3 and 4 is attached to the main unit 2 orthe left and right controllers 3 and 4 are both removed from the mainunit 2. If the determination result of step S51 is affirmative, theprocess of step S52 is executed. On the other hand, if the determinationresult of step S51 is negative, the process of step S54 is executed.

In step S52, the CPU 81 sets the control mode of the information processto the single-player control mode. That is, if step S52 is executed,since a controller is attached to the main unit 2, it is assumed that asingle user performs operations by using the attached controller. Thesingle-player control mode is a mode in which there is one controlobject, for example. For example, in the game program, the CPU 81 startsa game in which there is one player character. In an application inwhich operations are performed by using a cursor displayed on thescreen, the CPU 81 displays a cursor. Following step S52, the process ofstep S53 is executed.

In step S53, the CPU 81 executes a predetermined process in thesingle-player control mode. That is, the CPU 81 obtains operation datafrom the left and right controllers 3 and 4, and executes apredetermined process based on the operation data. Note that there is noparticular limitation on the content of the predetermined process. Now,in the single-player control mode, one control object (e.g., one playercharacter or one cursor) is controlled based on operation data obtainedfrom two controllers 3 and 4. Note that in step S53, the predeterminedprocess described above is repeatedly executed. When a condition forending the predetermined process is satisfied (e.g., when there is auser instruction to end the application), the CPU 81 ends the process ofstep S53, thereby ending the series of information processes shown inFIG. 27.

On the other hand, in step S54, the CPU 81 sets the control mode of theinformation process to the two-player control mode. That is, if step S54is executed, it means that (at least one) controller is removed from themain unit 2, and it is therefore assumed that a total of two users areperforming operations, wherein one user uses the removed controllerwhile the other user uses the other controller. The two-player controlmode is a mode in which there are two control objects, for example. Forexample, in the game program, the CPU 81 starts a game in which thereare two player characters. In an application in which operations areperformed by using a cursor displayed on the screen, the CPU 81 displaystwo cursors. Following step S54, the process of step S55 is executed.

In step S55, the CPU 81 executes a predetermined process in thetwo-player control mode. That is, the CPU 81 obtains operation data fromthe left and right controllers 3 and 4, and executes a predeterminedprocess based on the operation data. Note that there is no particularlimitation on the content of the predetermined process. In thetwo-player control mode, a first control object (e.g., one playercharacter or one cursor) is controlled based on operation data obtainedfrom the left controller 3, and a second control object, different fromthe first control object, is controlled based on operation data obtainedfrom the right controller 4. Note that in step S55, as in step S53, thepredetermined process is repeatedly executed. When a condition forending the predetermined process is satisfied (e.g., when there is auser instruction to end the application), the CPU 81 ends the process ofstep S55, thereby ending the series of information processes shown inFIG. 27.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when a program islaunched, the attached state of controllers is sensed, and a controlmode is set depending on the attached state (step S52, S54). Thus, anappropriate control mode is selected automatically without the userselecting the control mode, and it is therefore possible to save thetrouble for the user.

Note that in FIG. 27, the main unit 2 determines the attached state ofcontrollers at the start of the execution of a program (step S51). Now,in other embodiments, the main unit 2 may determine the attached stateof controllers at a predetermined timing during the execution of aprogram. Then, in response to the attached state of controllers beingchanged, the main unit 2 may change the control mode. Note that there isno particular limitation on the predetermined timing. For example, wherea game application is executed, the main unit 2 may determine theattached state of controllers at the point in time when one play of thegame is complete, or may determine the attached state of controllers atthe point in time when a predetermined instruction is given by a user.

In FIG. 27, the main unit 2 changes the number of users to performoperations depending on the attached state of controllers. There is noparticular limitation on the content of the process to be changeddepending on the attached state of controllers. For example, in otherembodiments, the interpretation (specifically, the interpretation by themain unit 2) of an operation on a controller may be changed depending onthe attached state of controllers. Specifically, when the leftcontroller 3 is attached to the main unit 2, the CPU 81 may interpretthe operation of tilting the analog stick 32 in the upper direction(i.e., in the y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1) as being an input of theupper direction. On the other hand, when the left controller 3 isremoved from the main unit 2, the CPU 81 may interpret the operation oftilting the analog stick 32 in the upper direction as being an input ofthe left direction (assuming that the controller is held in a landscapeposition as shown in FIG. 16).

Note that each of the three series of processes shown in FIG. 25 to FIG.27 may be executed in any phase on the main unit 2. That is, these threeseries of processes may each be executed in a different phase (i.e., inthe execution of a different program). Two or three of these series ofprocesses may be executed simultaneously (e.g., within a singleprogram). For example, the main unit 2 may execute a process thatcombines together processes of FIG. 26 and FIG. 27 when a certainapplication is executed. Specifically, in steps S53 and S55 shown inFIG. 27, the CPU 81 may execute the predetermined process describedabove based on operation data obtained from the processes of steps S41to S43 shown in FIG. 26.

[5. Other Devices Included in Information Processing System]

[5-1. Other Types of Controllers]

As described above, in the present embodiment, the controllers 3 and 4can be attached and detached to and from the main unit 2. Therefore,there may be provided a left controller different from the leftcontroller 3 shown in FIG. 5, and the other left controller may beattached to the main unit 2. Moreover, there may be provided a rightcontroller different from the right controller 4 shown in FIG. 6, andthe other right controller may be attached to the main unit 2. That is,in the present embodiment, controllers attached to the main unit 2 maybe detached therefrom and other controllers may be attached thereto.

FIG. 28 and FIG. 29 are diagrams each showing another example leftcontroller. A left controller 201 shown in FIG. 28, as compared with theleft controller 3 shown in FIG. 5, includes a cross-shaped key 202,instead of the operation buttons 33 to 36. A left controller 203 shownin FIG. 29, as compared with the left controller 3 shown in FIG. 5,includes a cross-shaped key 204, instead of the analog stick 32. Thus,another controller may have a different function from the controllers 3and 4 shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. Thus, the information processingsystem may include other controllers having different functions from thecontrollers 3 and 4, in addition to (or instead of) the controllers 3and 4.

FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example information processing devicewith a right controller that is different from that of FIG. 1. In FIG.30, another right controller 205, instead of the right controller 4shown in FIG. 6, is attached to the main unit 2. On the right controller205, as compared with the right controller 4 shown in FIG. 6, thearrangement of the analog stick 52 and the four operation buttons 53 to56 is reversed. Thus, for an information processing device 1′ shown inFIG. 30, the arrangement of the analog stick and the four operationbuttons is symmetric between the left controller and the rightcontroller. That is, in the present embodiment, the arrangement of theoperation section on the information processing device 1 can be changedby changing the controller to be attached to the main unit 2. Thus, theinformation processing system may include other controllers havingdifferent arrangements from the controllers 3 and 4, in addition to (orinstead of) the controllers 3 and 4.

As described above, in the present embodiment, there may be provideddifferent kinds of controllers having different functions and/orarrangements. Then, a user can use any of the different kinds ofcontrollers by attaching the controller to the main unit 2. Thus, it ispossible to provide a portable device with which it is possible tochange the controller device (i.e., the controller) in accordance with,for example, the user preference or the content of the application to beexecuted on the information processing device 1.

[5-2. Accessory for Controllers]

The information processing device 1 may include an accessory configuredso that the controllers 3 and 4, having been removed from the main unit2, can be attached to the accessory. FIG. 31 is a diagram showing anexample accessory to which controllers can be attached. As shown in FIG.31, an extension grip 210, which is an example accessory, is anaccessory to be used by a user for performing operations. The extensiongrip 210 includes a housing 211. The left controller 3 can be attachedto the housing 211, and the right controller 4 can be attached thereto.Therefore, the extension grip 210 allows a user to perform operationswhile holding two controllers 3 and 4, having been removed from the mainunit 2, as an integral unit.

Note that as mechanisms for allowing controllers to be attached thereto,the extension grip 210 includes mechanisms similar to those of the mainunit 2 (specifically, the left rail member 15, the engagement hole 16,the stopper 18, the right rail member 19, the engagement hole 20 and thestopper 22). Thus, the controllers 3 and 4 can be attached to theextension grip 210, as they are attached to the main unit 2.

As shown in FIG. 31, the extension grip 210 includes grip portions to beheld by a user. Specifically, the extension grip 210 accommodates theleft controller 3 attached thereto on the left side of the center of theextension grip 210 in the left-right direction (the x-axis directionshown in FIG. 31). The extension grip 210 includes a left grip portion212 provided on the left side (in other words, on the outer side in theleft-right direction) of the area where the left controller 3 isattached. The extension grip 210 accommodates the right controller 4attached thereto on the right side of the extension grip 210 in theleft-right direction. The extension grip 210 includes a right gripportion 213 provided on the right side (in other words, on the outerside in the left-right direction) of the area where the right controller4 is attached. Therefore, by holding the grip portions 212 and 213, auser can easily operate the controllers 3 and 4 attached to theextension grip 210.

Although not shown in the figure, the extension grip 210 includes aleft-side terminal similar to the left-side terminal 17 of the main unit2 at such a location that allows the left-side terminal to be connectedto the terminal 42 of the left controller 3 attached to the extensiongrip 210. The extension grip 210 also includes a right-side terminalsimilar to the right-side terminal 21 of the main unit 2 at such alocation that allows the right-side terminal to be connected to theterminal 64 of the right controller 4 attached to the extension grip210. Therefore, when the controllers 3 and 4 are attached to theextension grip 210, the extension grip 210 and the controllers 3 and 4are electrically connected to each other. Therefore, when thecontrollers and the extension grip 210 are connected to each other, theycan communicate with each other and can supply power to each other.

Moreover, although not shown in the figure, the extension grip 210includes a power terminal similar to the power terminal 134 of thecradle 5. Therefore, by connecting to a charging device (not shown)(e.g., an AC adaptor) to the power terminal, the extension grip 210 canreceive power supply from the charging device via the power terminal.Then, the power supplied from the power terminal is supplied by theextension grip 210 to the left controller 3 and the right controller 4via the left-side terminal and the right-side terminal. Therefore, byconnecting the extension grip 210 to a charging device, it is possibleto charge the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 attached tothe extension grip 210.

As described above, the extension grip 210 has the function of chargingcontrollers attached thereto. That is, the extension grip 210 includes acharging control section (i.e., the power terminal, and the left-sideterminal or the right-side terminal), which uses power supplied to theextension grip 210 to charge controllers attached to the extension grip210. Then, controllers can be charged while being attached to theextension grip. This improves the usability of the controllers.

Note however that in other embodiments, the extension grip 210 does nothave the charging function. Then, the extension grip 210 does not needto include electronic members such as terminals. By using no electronicmembers, it is possible to simplify the configuration of the extensiongrip 210.

When the controllers 3 and 4 are attached to the extension grip 210, thecontrollers 3 and 4 and the main unit 2 communicate with each other inwireless communication (as when the controllers 3 and 4 are removed fromthe main unit 2). That is, even when attached to the extension grip 210,the controllers 3 and 4 can communicate with the main unit 2.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, a controller transmits, to themain unit 2, attachment information regarding its attachment to anotherdevice. For example, when a controller is attached to another device,the attachment information indicates the device (and/or the type of thedevice) to which the controller is attached, and when a controller isnot attached to another device, the attachment information indicatesthat the controller is not attached to another device. The attachmentinformation may be transmitted together with the operation data (orwhile being included in the operation data), for example.

Thus, when a controller senses the attachment of the controller to theextension grip 210, the controller transmits, to the main unit 2 viawireless communication, a notification indicating that the controllerhas been attached to the extension grip 210. Specifically, thecontroller transmits, to the main unit 2, the attachment informationindicating that the controller is attached to the extension grip 210.

Note that there is no particular limitation on the method for acontroller to identify the device to which the controller is attached.In the present embodiment, in response to a controller being attached toanother device, the controller obtains identification informationidentifying the other device from the other device (herein, theextension grip 210). The identification information is, for example,identification information assigned to each device (more specifically,identification information unique to the device). Note that in thepresent embodiment, the identification information includes informationindicating the type of the device so that it is possible to identify thetype of the device from the identification information. Based on theidentification information, a controller determines (or senses) that thedevice to which the controller has been attached is the extension grip210, i.e., that the device has been attached to the extension grip 210.Note that when a controller is removed from the extension grip 210, thecontroller transmits, to the main unit 2 via wireless communication, anotification indicating that the controller has been removed from theextension grip 210. That is, the controller transmits, to the main unit2, the attachment information indicating that the controller is notattached to another device.

Now, the main unit 2 may change the interpretation of operationsperformed on a controller depending on the device to which thecontroller is attached. That is, the main unit 2 may change the methodof identifying the content of input (in other words, the content of auser instruction) based on the operation data from a controllerdepending on the device to which the controller is attached. Forexample, in the example shown in FIG. 31, the left and right controllers3 and 4 are attached to the extension grip 210 while being slightlyinclined with respect to the up-down direction. Therefore, when theanalog stick is tilted in the directly upward direction with respect tothe extension grip 210 (the y-axis positive direction shown in FIG. 31),the tilt is not in the directly upward direction with respect to thecontroller. Therefore, when a controller is attached to the extensiongrip 210, the main unit 2 preferably changes the interpretation ofdirectional inputs on the analog stick, as compared with a case wherethe controller is not attached to the extension grip 210 (e.g., when thecontroller is attached to the main unit 2). For example, the main unit 2may change the direction of tilt of the analog stick that is interpretedas being an input in the directly upward direction.

Thus, when a controller is attached to the extension grip 210, the mainunit 2 changes the interpretation of a directional input on the analogstick, as compared with a case in which the controller is attached tothe main unit 2. Specifically, when a controller is attached to theextension grip 210, the main unit 2 modifies the tilt direction of theanalog stick represented by the operation data by rotating the tiltdirection by a predetermined angle. Note that the predetermined angleis, for example, the angle of inclination of the controller attached tothe extension grip 210 with respect to the attitude of the controllerwhen attached to the main unit 2. The predetermined angle may be presetbased on the structure of the extension grip 210. The main unit 2 usesthe modified tilt direction as the direction input by a user. That is,the main unit 2 executes an information process using the modified tiltdirection as an input. Thus, when an analog stick is tilted in thedirectly upward direction with respect to the extension grip 210, theinput direction is regarded as being the directly upward direction, thusallowing an information process to be executed appropriately.

When a controller is attached to the extension grip 210, the main unit 2modifies the values of the detection results of the acceleration sensorand the angular velocity sensor of the controller. That is, the mainunit 2 modifies the detection result of the acceleration sensor byrotating the direction of acceleration (i.e., the detection result ofthe acceleration sensor) by the above predetermined angle in arotational direction about an axis extending in the front-rear directionof the controller (the z-axis direction shown in FIG. 1). The main unit2 modifies the detection result of the angular velocity sensor byrotating the axis of rotation of the angular velocity (i.e., thedetection result of the angular velocity sensor) by the abovepredetermined angle in a rotational direction about an axis extending inthe front-rear direction of the controller (the z-axis direction shownin FIG. 1). Then, the main unit 2 calculates the movement and/or theattitude of the controller (in other words, the extension grip 210)based on the modified values of the acceleration and/or the angularvelocity.

Note that the main unit 2 may calculate the movement and/or the attitudeof the controller without modifying the values of the detection resultsof the acceleration sensor and the angular velocity sensor, and modifythe calculated movement and/or the calculated attitude. That is, whenthe main unit 2 calculates the movement based on the detection resultsof the acceleration sensor and/or the angular velocity sensor, the mainunit 2 modifies the calculated movement by rotating the calculatedmovement direction by the above predetermined angle in a rotationaldirection about an axis extending in the front-rear direction of thecontroller. When the main unit 2 calculates the attitude based on thedetection results of the acceleration sensor and/or the angular velocitysensor, the main unit 2 modifies the calculated attitude by rotating thecalculated attitude by a predetermined angle in a rotational directionabout an axis extending in the front-rear direction of the controller.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the left controller 3 isattached to the extension grip 210 while being inclined in the firstdirection from a predetermined reference attitude (i.e., the attitude inwhich the up-down direction of the left controller 3 coincides with theup-down direction of the extension grip 210; or the attitude when theleft controller 3 is attached to the main unit 2) (see FIG. 31). Theright controller 4 is attached to the extension grip 210 while beinginclined in a direction opposite to the first direction from apredetermined reference attitude (i.e., the attitude where the up-downdirection of the right controller 4 coincides with the up-down directionof the extension grip 210). Thus, controllers can be attached to theaccessory with an easy-to-operate inclination.

In the present embodiment, when at least one of the left controller 3and the right controller 4 is attached to the extension grip 210, themain unit 2 executes a predetermined information process by modifyingthe operation data from the attached controller and/or informationobtained from the operation data. For example, the main unit 2 performsa modifying process for modifying the inclination of the controller withrespect to the predetermined reference attitude. More specifically, themain unit 2 performs a modifying process so that the result of theinformation process when a predetermined operation is performed on acontroller attached to the extension grip 210 is generally equal to thatwhen the predetermined operation is performed on the controller being inthe predetermined reference attitude. Thus, since a user can similarlyoperate a controller whether the controller is attached to an accessorywhile being inclined from the predetermined reference attitude or thecontroller is not attached to the accessory (or attached to the mainunit 2), thereby improving the controllability of a controller attachedto an accessory.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the main unit 2 modifies a part ofthe operation data representing an operation performed on a directionalinput section (i.e., an analog stick). Thus, the analog stick can beoperated in a similar fashion whether the controller is attached to theaccessory while being inclined from the predetermined reference attitudeor the controller is not attached to the accessory (or attached to themain unit 2).

In the present embodiment, also when the left and right controllers 3and 4 are both attached to the extension grip 210, as when the left andright controllers 3 and 4 are both attached to the main unit 2, thesetwo controllers are registered as a pair. Specifically, if one of theleft and right controllers has been attached to the extension grip 210,when an indication that the other controller is attached to theextension grip 210 is received, the main unit 2 registers these twocontrollers as a pair. Then, a user can register two controllers as apair by attaching them to the extension grip 210, as well as byattaching them to the main unit 2.

Note that in other embodiments, the extension grip 210 may include acommunication section capable of communicating with the main unit 2 inwireless communication. Then, the extension grip 210 may obtainoperation data from the controllers 3 and 4 attached to the extensiongrip 210, and transmit the obtained operation data to the main unit 2via the communication section.

Note that the main unit 2 may communicate with devices that cannot beattached to the main unit 2 (e.g., the extension grip 210) in wirelesscommunication, as well as communicating with controllers that can beattached to the main unit 2 in wireless communication. For example, themain unit 2 may receive via wireless communication operation data from acontroller device that cannot be attached to the main unit 2, andexecute an information process based on the operation data. Then,operations can be performed on the main unit 2 by using a wider varietyof controller devices.

The extension grip 210 may include an operation section (e.g., buttonsand an analog stick, etc.). Then, the extension grip 210 allows for awider variety of operations using controllers. Note that informationrepresenting an operation performed on the operation section may beobtained by a controller attached to the extension grip 210 (if thereare a plurality of controllers attached to the extension grip 210, oneof the controllers), and transmitted from the controller to the mainunit 2. Such information may be transmitted together with (or beingincluded in) operation data of the controller. If the extension grip 210includes a communication section capable of communicating with the mainunit 2 in wireless communication, information representing an operationperformed on the operation section may be transmitted directly from theextension grip 210 to the main unit 2 (i.e., without passing through acontroller).

Note that an accessory controller device such as the extension gripdescribed above may be configured without grip portions. Then, theaccessory controller device may be configured so that the housings ofthe controllers are used as grip portions. FIG. 32 is a diagram showinganother example accessory controller device. In FIG. 32, an attachment220 includes a housing 221 to which the left controller 3 and the rightcontroller 4 can be attached, as with the extension grip 210 shown inFIG. 31. Note that the attachment 220 has similar mechanisms to those ofthe extension grip 210 for allowing controllers to be attached thereto.

The attachment 220 shown in FIG. 32 includes no grip portion. Therefore,a user holds the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 attachedto the attachment 220. This also enables the user to hold the twocontrollers 3 and 4 removed from the main unit 2 as an integral unit.

[5-3. Accessory for Main Unit]

The information processing system may include an accessory to which themain unit 2 can be attached. An HMD accessory to be described below asan example accessory can be used as a so-called HMD (head mounteddisplay) with the main unit 2 attached thereto.

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing an example HMD accessory to which the mainunit 2 can be attached. An HMD accessory 230 shown in FIG. 33 includes ahousing 231 and belts 232 a and 232 b. One end of the belt 232 a isattached to one end of the housing 231, and one end of the belt 232 b isattached to the other end of the housing 231. Although not shown in thefigure, the other end of the belt 232 a can be removably connected tothe other end of the belt 232 b. Thus, the housing 231 can be mounted onthe head of the user by connecting together the two belts 232 a and 232b around the head of the user. Note that there is no particularlimitation on the mechanism for allowing the HMD accessory 230 to bemounted on the head of the user.

As shown in FIG. 33, the housing 231 includes two openings 231 a. Theopenings 231 a are located so as to face the eyes of the user with thehousing 231 mounted on the head of the user. Although not shown in thefigure, the HMD accessory 230 includes a lens provided in each of theopenings 231 a.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 33, the housing 231 includes an insertionslot 231 b for receiving the main unit 2 attached thereto (or insertedthereinto). That is, the main unit 2 can be attached to the HMDaccessory 230 by inserting the main unit 2 into the insertion slot 231b. If the main unit 2 is attached so that the display 12 is facing theopenings 231 a, the display 12 can be viewed through the lenses throughthe openings 231 a. That is, the housing 231 supports the display 12 sothat the user can view the display 12 of the main unit 2.

With such a configuration, a user can view images on the display 12 whenthe HMD accessory 230 with the main unit 2 attached thereto is mountedon the head of the user. That is, the HMD accessory 230 with the mainunit 2 attached thereto functions as a so-called HMD. Note that the HMDaccessory 230 may present images of a wide viewing angle to a user byenlarging the viewing angle of the images on the display 12 through thelenses. This can enhance the sense of immersion for a user looking atthe images. Note that the main unit 2 may perform a predeterminedconversion process on the images displayed on the display 12 so thatappropriate images are viewed through the lenses.

Note that in the present embodiment, the main unit 2 includes theacceleration sensor 89 and the angular velocity sensor 90, and cancalculate the movement and/or the attitude of the main unit 2 based onthe detection results of these sensors. Therefore, the main unit 2 cancalculate the movement and/or the attitude of the HMD accessory 230 towhich the main unit 2 is attached, and perform a predetermined processin accordance with the movement and/or the attitude. Note that thepredetermined process, for example, is a process of controlling avirtual camera for producing images to be displayed on the display 12based on the movement and/or the attitude of the HMD accessory 230, andmore specifically is a process of changing the line-of-sight directionof the virtual camera depending on the attitude, for example.

In other embodiments, if the main unit 2 does not have sensors forsensing the movement and/or the attitude of the main unit 2 (e.g., anacceleration sensor and/or an angular velocity sensor), the HMDaccessory 230 may include the sensors. Then, the HMD accessory 230 maytransmit the detection results of the sensors (or information obtainedby performing a predetermined process on the detection results) to themain unit 2. The main unit 2 may calculate the movement and/or theattitude of the HMD accessory 230 based on the information transmittedfrom the HMD accessory 230.

In the present embodiment, the controllers 3 and 4 may be used whilethey are removed from the main unit 2. Therefore, even with the mainunit 2 attached to the HMD accessory 230, the controllers 3 and 4 can beused as controller devices. That is, a user can operate the controllersusing the hands while the HMD accessory 230 with the main unit 2attached thereto is mounted on the head of the user.

As described above, the information processing device 1 of the presentembodiment, with the use of the HMD accessory 230 described above, canbe used in a mode where it is used as an HMD. In the present embodiment,since the controllers can be removed from the main unit 2, it ispossible to reduce the weight of the device or devices to be mounted onthe head of the user. A user can perform operations using removedcontrollers.

[6. Functions/Effects and Variations of Present Embodiment]

In the present embodiment described above, the information processingdevice 1 includes the main unit 2, the left controller (referred to alsoas the first controller device) 3, and the right controller (referred toalso as the second controller device) 4. Since the informationprocessing device 1 includes a plurality of devices, it can be referredto also as an information processing system. The main unit includes adisplay (i.e., the display 12). The left controller 3 is configured tobe removably attached to the main unit 2, and the right controller 4 isconfigured to be removably attached to the main unit 2 (FIG. 2). Theleft controller 3 transmits first operation data representing anoperation performed on the left controller 3 to the main unit 2, whetherit is attached to the main unit 2 or not. The right controller 4transmits second operation data representing an operation performed onthe right controller 4 to the main unit 2, whether it is attached to themain unit 2 or not. The main unit is configured to display, on thedisplay, the execution result of an information process (step S44) basedon the first operation data transmitted from the left controller 3 andthe second operation data transmitted from the right controller 4 (stepS45). Thus, with the left controller 3 and the right controller 4attached to the main unit 2, the main unit 2 is capable of displaying,on the display, images based on operations performed on the leftcontroller 3 and the right controller 4 (FIG. 14). The main unit 2 isalso capable of displaying, on the display, images based on operationsperformed on the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 when theleft controller 3 and the right controller 4 are removed from the mainunit 2 (FIG. 15).

As described above, the information processing device 1 can be used bothin the mode in which the controllers 3 and 4 are attached to the mainunit 2 and in the mode in which the controllers 3 and 4 are removed fromthe main unit. Thus, since a plurality of modes of use are realized witha single information processing device 1, the information processingdevice 1 can be used in a wider variety of manners.

The “image based on operations” may be images obtained by an informationprocess that is performed based on an operation (e.g., images obtainedby an operation performed on an application used for obtaining andviewing information from the Internet) or images produced by aninformation process that is performed based on an operation (e.g., gameimages produced in accordance with a game operation performed on a gameapplication).

In the above description, the main unit 2 may be used in the mode inwhich the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are attached tothe main unit 2 and in the mode in which the left controller 3 and theright controller 4 are removed from the main unit 2, and it is notnecessary that both of these modes be available under certainconditions. For example, only one of the two modes may be available in apredetermined application running on the main unit 2. That is, the mainunit 2 may run an application that is available only in the mode inwhich the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are attached tothe main unit 2, and may run another application that is available onlyin the mode in which the left controller 3 and the right controller 4are removed from the main unit 2.

In the above description, the main unit 2 may include an informationprocessing unit (e.g., the CPU 81) instead of a display.

The left controller 3 includes a first input section (e.g., the analogstick 32) and a second input section (e.g., the operation buttons 33 to36). The right controller 4 includes a third input section (e.g., theanalog stick 52) of the same type as the first input section and afourth input section (e.g., the operation buttons 53 to 56) of the sametype as the second input section.

Note that an “input section” is any means that outputs informationrepresenting a user input and/or information with which it is possibleto calculate (or estimate) a user input. For example, an input sectionmay be a button, a directional input section such as an analog stick, atouch panel, a microphone, a camera, a sensor capable of calculating themovement of the controller, for example, (e.g., an acceleration sensorand an angular velocity sensor), and the like.

As described above, the left controller 3 and the right controller 4include two sets of input sections of the same type. Therefore, usingthe input sections described above, a user can use two controllers in asimilar manner. For example, if a single user uses a controller, it isconvenient because the user can perform operations in a similar mannerusing either one of two controllers. Also conveniently, two users caneach use one controller, for example.

In the above description, “input sections being of the same type” is notlimited to cases where the two input sections are the same inputsections, but may also include cases where two input sections havefunctions and/or applications of the same type. For example, where thefirst input section is an analog stick that can be tilted up, down, leftand right, the third input section may be a slide stick that can be slidup, down, left and right or a cross-shaped key capable of making aninput of up, down, left and right.

In the embodiment described above, the input mechanism of the firstinput section and the input mechanism of the third input section (e.g.,the operation button 33 and the operation button 53 or the analog stick32 and the analog stick 52) are substantially the same. The inputmechanism of the second input section and the input mechanism of thefourth input section are substantially the same. Thus, the twocontrollers will have two types of input sections that can be operatedin a similar fashion. Therefore, a user can use two controllers in asimilar fashion, thereby improving the controllability of thecontrollers.

In the embodiment described above, the first input section hassubstantially the same shape as the third input section. Also, thesecond input section has substantially the same shape as the fourthinput section. Thus, the two controllers will have two types of inputsections that can be operated in a similar fashion. Therefore, a usercan use two controllers in a similar fashion, thereby improving thecontrollability of the controllers.

When the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are removed fromthe main unit 2, the positional relationship between the first inputsection and the second input section of the left controller 3 placed ina certain orientation is the same as the positional relationship betweenthe third input section and the fourth input section of the rightcontroller 4 placed in a certain orientation. For example, consider acase in which the left side surface the left controller 3 is facing auser and the right side surface of the right controller 4 is facinganother user, as shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17. Then, the positionalrelationship between the first input section (i.e., the analog stick 32)and the second input section (i.e., the operation buttons 33 to 36) isthe same as the positional relationship between the third input section(i.e., the analog stick 52) and the fourth input section (i.e., theoperation buttons 53 to 56).

Then, users can use the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 ina similar fashion. Thus, it is possible to improve the controllabilityof the controllers. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 16, witheither one of the two controllers, a user can operate the analog stickwith the left hand and the operation buttons with the right hand.

When the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 are attached tothe main unit 2, the positional relationship between the first inputsection (i.e., the analog stick 32) and the second input section (i.e.,the operation buttons 33 to 36) is opposite from the positionalrelationship between the third input section (i.e., the analog stick 52)and the fourth input section (i.e., the operation buttons 53 to 56) (seeFIG. 1).

Thus, if the controllers 3 and 4 are attached to the main unit 2, if auser holds the controllers 3 and 4 respectively with the left hand andthe right hand, the user is allowed to easily operate different inputsections with the left hand and with the right hand. Thus, it ispossible to improve the controllability of the information processingdevice 1 with controllers attached thereto.

Now, assume a configuration in which the positional relationship betweenthe first input section and the second input section is the same as thepositional relationship between the third input section and the fourthinput section. Even with such a configuration, a user may tend tooperate the left and right controllers in a similar fashion (e.g.,operating the analog stick with the left hand and the operation buttonswith the right hand). Then, if the controllers have a similar shape tothat of the present embodiment (i.e., one side surface is rounded), onecontroller will be held with the rounded side surface facing away fromthe user while the other controller will be held with the rounded sidesurface facing toward the user. That is, this configuration has aproblem in that when users hold controllers removed from the main unit2, the direction of the rounded side surface of one controller will beopposite to that of the other controller, which makes it less easy for auser to understand the appropriate orientation in which to hold acontroller.

Moreover, with such a configuration, if sub-buttons (the second L buttonand/or the second R button in the embodiment described above) areprovided on each controller, the sub-buttons will be provided on therounded side surface (as in the present embodiment) for one controller,whereas the sub-buttons will be provided on the opposite side surfacefrom the rounded side surface for the other controller. With such aconfiguration, however, the sub-buttons of one controller will beexposed even when the controller is attached to the main unit 2, and thesub-buttons may possibly be operated in error in the attached state.

In contrast, according to the present embodiment employing aconfiguration in which the positional relationship between the firstinput section and the second input section is opposite from thepositional relationship between the third input section and the fourthinput section, it is possible to prevent the two problems describedabove.

In the embodiment described above, the first input section and the thirdinput section are each a directional input section for receiving adirectional input. More specifically, the directional input section mayinclude an operation member (e.g., a stick member) that can be tilted orslid in a predetermined direction. Then, a user can make directionalinputs by using the left controller 3 or the right controller 4.

In the embodiment described above, the second input section and thefourth input section are each a button that can be pressed. Thus, a usercan make button inputs by using the left controller 3 or the rightcontroller 4.

In the embodiment described above, a controller is attached integrallyto the main unit 2 with a predetermined surface of the housing of thecontroller (e.g., the right side surface for the left controller 3)facing a predetermined surface of the main unit 2 (see FIG. 2). Thus,with the controller attached to the main unit 2, a user can handle thecontroller and the main unit as an integral unit, thereby improving thecontrollability.

In the embodiment described above, the left controller 3 is attached tothe main unit 2 so as to be facing one of a left side surface and aright side surface of the main unit 2 (specifically, the left sidesurface). The right controller 4 is attached to the main unit 2 so as tobe facing the other one of the left side surface and the right sidesurface of the main unit 2 (i.e., the right side surface). Then, a usercan operate the two controllers attached to the main unit 2 respectivelywith the left hand and the right hand, thereby providing the informationprocessing device 1 with a good controllability.

The controller includes a light-emitting portion (e.g., the indicatorLED 45 for the left controller 3) provided on the predetermined surfacefor notifying a user of predetermined information. Then, predeterminedinformation (e.g., the status of the information processing device 1)can be indicated to the user using the controller.

Note that the light-emitting portion may indicate the communicationstatus between the main unit 2 and the controller. For example, in theembodiment described above, the indicator LED indicates a number that isassigned to the controller as a result of communication (morespecifically, the number represented by the number information describedabove). For example, the indicator LED may indicate the status ofwireless communication between the information processing device 1 andthe controller. Specifically, the indicator LED may indicate whether ornot wireless communication is available at that point in time or mayindicate whether or not pairing has been done.

The controller includes operation sections provided on the predeterminedsurface (e.g., the second L button 43 and the second R button 44 for theleft controller 3). Note that the “operation section” for example meansany input section operated by a user, such as buttons, a stick, etc.Thus, more operation sections are available when the controller isremoved from the main unit 2 than when the controller is attached to themain unit 2. Therefore, a user is allowed to perform a variety ofoperations even when the controller is removed from the main unit 2, andit is possible to improve the controllability of the controller.

Note that in other embodiments, the main unit 2 may include operationsections (e.g., buttons) provided on the engaged surface (i.e., the leftside surface or the right side surface of the main unit 2) to which theleft controller 3 or the right controller 4 is attached. Note that theoperation section may be a button having a particular function, whichmay specifically be a power button, a home button or a sleep button. Forexample, in the embodiment described above, the power button 28 may beprovided on the left side surface or the right side surface of the mainunit 2. Then, the power button 28 cannot be operated when the leftcontroller 3 or the right controller 4 is attached, thereby preventingan erroneous operation by a user. Note that when an operation section isprovided on a side surface of the main unit 2, the operation section maybe provided on the rail member or on another portion of the housingother than the rail member.

Note that an operation section having the same function as the operationsection described above may be provided on the left controller 3 and/orthe right controller 4. For example, in other embodiments, a powerbutton having the same function as the power button 28 may be providedon the left controller 3 and/or the right controller 4. Then, thefunction of the input section is available to the user even when theleft controller 3 and the right controller 4 are in the attached state.

In other embodiments, the main unit 2 may include a terminal forconnecting other devices provided on the engaged surface (i.e., the leftside surface or the right side surface of the main unit 2) to which theleft controller 3 or the right controller 4 is attached. For example, inthe embodiment described above, the first slot 23 and/or the second slot24 (in other words, terminals provided in the slots) may be provided onthe left side surface or the right side surface of the main unit 2.Then, with the controller attached to the main unit 2, the terminals canbe protected by the controller. If a slot is provided on the left sidesurface or the right side surface of the main unit 2, it is possible toprevent a device inserted in the slot (e.g., a card storage medium) fromcoming off of the main unit 2, when the controller is attached to themain unit 2.

In the embodiment described above, connecting portions (i.e., the upperleft portion and the lower left portion) between the first side surface(i.e., the left side surface) of the four side surfaces of the leftcontroller 3 and side surfaces adjacent thereto (i.e., the upper sidesurface and the lower side surface) have a more rounded shape thanconnecting portions (i.e., the upper right portion and the lower rightportion) between the second side surface (i.e., the right side surface)opposite from the first side surface and side surfaces adjacent thereto(i.e., the upper side surface and the lower side surface) (see FIG. 5).Moreover, connecting portions between the third side surface (i.e., theright side surface) of the four side surfaces of the right controller 4and side surfaces adjacent thereto (i.e., the upper side surface and thelower side surface) have a more rounded shape than connecting portions(i.e., the upper side surface and the lower side surface) between thefourth side surface (i.e., the left side surface) opposite from thethird side surface and side surfaces adjacent thereto (see FIG. 6).Thus, the controller has a rounded shape on one side thereof, and it istherefore easy for a user to understand the orientation in which to holdthe controller removed from the main unit 2. This also makes it easierfor a user to hold the controller removed from the main unit 2.

Moreover, in the embodiment described above, the left controller 3 isattached to the main unit 2 with the second side surface of the leftcontroller 3 facing the fifth side surface (i.e., the left side surface)of the four side surfaces of the main unit 2 (see FIG. 2). Moreover, theright controller 4 is attached to the main unit 2 with the fourth sidesurface of the right controller 4 facing the sixth side surface (i.e.,the right side surface) opposite from the fifth side surface of the mainunit 2 (see FIG. 2).

Then, with the controllers 3 and 4 attached to the main unit 2 (see FIG.1), the information processing device 1 will have an overall shape suchthat the left side and the right side thereof are rounded, making iteasier for a user to hold. The left side of the left controller 3 ismore rounded than the right side thereof, whereas the right side of theright controller 4 is more rounded than the left side thereof (FIG. 5and FIG. 6). Thus, since the left controller 3 has a different overallshape than that of the right controller 4, it is possible to reduce thepossibility that a user mistakes the left and right controllers for eachother when attaching them to the main unit 2.

In the embodiment described above, the right controller 4 includes aninput section having a first function that the left controller 3 doesnot have (in the embodiment described above, the plus button 57, thehome button 58 and the infrared image-capturing section 123). In otherwords, in the embodiment described above, the left controller 3 includesone or more input sections having a predetermined number of types offunctions (13 in the embodiment described above, including nine buttons,the analog stick 32, the acceleration sensor 104 and the angularvelocity sensor 105). In contrast, the right controller 4 includes oneor more input sections having a number (different from the predeterminednumber) of types of functions (15 in the embodiment described above,including 11 buttons, the analog stick 52, the acceleration sensor 114,the angular velocity sensor 115 and the infrared image-capturing section123). Thus, when each controller has some functions that the othercontroller does not have (as compared with a case where the controllersboth have the same functions), it is possible to simplify theconfiguration of the controllers.

Note that the “input section having the first function” may be animage-capturing device (e.g., the infrared image-capturing section 123)or a button. The button may be a button having a particular function(e.g., a power button or a home button), for example.

In the embodiment described above, the left controller 3 includes inputsections having the second function different from the first function(e.g., the analog stick 32 and the buttons 33 to 38 in the embodimentdescribed above), and the right controller 4 includes input sectionshaving the second function (e.g., the analog stick 52 and the buttons 53to 56, 60 and 61 in the embodiment described above). Then, a user canuse the second function on either controller, thereby improving thecontrollability, whereas the first function is omitted for one of thecontrollers, thereby simplifying the configuration of the controller.

In the embodiment described above, communication between the main unit 2and a controller when the controller is attached to the main unit 2 usesa first communication scheme (specifically, wired communication), andcommunication between the main unit 2 and a controller when thecontroller is removed from the main unit 2 uses a second communicationscheme (specifically, wireless communication) different from the firstcommunication scheme. Then, by changing the communication scheme betweenwhen the controller is attached to the main unit 2 and when thecontroller is removed from the main unit 2, the controller cancommunicate in either case. The controller can easily communicate withthe main unit 2 in wired communication when it is attached to the mainunit 2, and the controller can communicate with the main unit 2 inwireless communication when it is removed from the main unit 2.

In the embodiment described above, the wired communication between themain unit and the controller is a communication connection via a wiredcommunication channel formed by an electrical connection between thefirst terminal of the main unit 2 (specifically, the left-side terminal17 or the right-side terminal 21) and the second terminal of thecontroller (specifically, the terminal 42 or 64). The wiredcommunication as used herein means communication via a cable connectionbetween devices, and also means communication via a connection between aterminal (e.g., a connector) of one device and a terminal (e.g., aconnector) of the other device.

In the embodiment described above, when the controller is attached tothe main unit 2, the first terminal of the main unit 2 (i.e., theleft-side terminal 17 or the right-side terminal 21) and the secondterminal of the controller (i.e., the terminal 42 or 64) areelectrically connected to each other by being in contact with eachother. Then, when the controller is attached to the main unit 2, wiredcommunication and/or power supply are implemented via the terminalsconnected together.

In the embodiment described above, when the controller is attached tothe main unit 2, the first terminal of the main unit 2 and the secondterminal of the controller are electrically connected together, and thecommunication between the main unit 2 and the controller and the powersupply from the main unit 2 to the controller are implemented via thefirst terminal and the second terminal. Then, it is possible to increasethe opportunity to charge the controller and thus to reduce thepossibility of the controller running out of battery. When a userattaches controllers to the main unit 2 so as to use the informationprocessing device 1 as an integral portable device, the controllers canbe charged without the user knowing. Therefore, the user does not needto perform a separate operation for charging the controller, thus savingthe trouble for the user.

In the embodiment described above, the information processing device 1includes a first sensing section (e.g., the CPU 81 executing step S3)for sensing the attachment of the left controller 3 to the main unit 2,and a second sensing section (e.g., the CPU 81 executing step S3) forsensing the attachment of the right controller 4 to the main unit 2. Themain unit 2 registers a pair of a left controller and a right controllerbased on the sensing results from the first sensing section and thesecond sensing section (see step S4). Therefore, a user can register apair through a straightforward, easy operation of attaching twocontrollers, to be used as a pair, to the main unit 2.

In the embodiment described above, when the left controller 3 and theright controller 4 are attached to the main unit 2, the main unit 2registers the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 attachedthereto as a pair (see step S3, S4). Thus, a user can register a pair ofcontrollers through a straightforward operation.

Note that the first sensing section and the second sensing section mayor may not simultaneously sense the attachment of the controllers to themain unit 2. That is, two controllers that are not at the same timeattached to the main unit 2 may be registered as a pair.

The main unit 2 may execute a predetermined information process based onoperation data received from two pairs of controllers. For example, themain unit 2 receives operation data from each of a left controller and aright controller that are registered as a first pair, and receivesoperation data from each of a left controller and a right controllerthat are registered as a second pair. The main unit 2 may execute apredetermined information process using, as a set of data, operationdata received from controllers that are registered as a first pair, andusing, as another set of data, operation data received from controllersthat are registered as a second pair. Then, the information processingdevice can use operation data from a plurality of controllers whiledistinguishing between operation data from different registered pairs.

In the embodiment described above, when receiving operation data fromeach of the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 that areremoved from the main unit 2 and registered as a pair, the main unit 2executes a predetermined information process using the two pieces ofoperation data received as a set of data (see FIG. 17(b)). Thus, a usercan perform operations using controllers registered as a pair. Forexample, a user can control one object by using a pair of controllers.

In the embodiment described above, the main unit 2 includes the housing11 provided with a first engagement portion (which can also be referredto as the attachment and detachment mechanism; specifically, the leftrail member 15) to be engaged with the housing (specifically, the slider40 provided on the housing 31) of the left controller 3, and a secondengagement portion (specifically, the right rail member 19) to beengaged with the housing (specifically, the slider 62 provided on thehousing 51) of the right controller 4.

In the above description, the first engagement portion and the secondengagement portion are to be engaged with controller housings (includingmembers provided on the housings), and are not to be engaged withconnectors of the controllers. That is, in the present embodiment, themain unit 2 is configured so that controllers are configured to beremovably attached to the main unit 2 by the method of engaging theengagement portions with the controllers, which is different from themethod of connecting the connectors of the main unit 2 with those of thecontrollers (the engagement method and the method of connecting theconnectors may be both used at the same time). Then, the main unit 2 andthe controllers can be firmly connected together.

Note that in other embodiments, the main unit 2 may include only oneengagement portion to be engaged with the housing of the controller ormay include three or more engagement portions.

In the embodiment described above, the left controller 3 includes thehousing 31 provided with a third engagement portion (specifically, theslider 40) to be engaged with the first engagement portion of the mainunit 2. The right controller 4 includes the housing 51 provided with afourth engagement portion (specifically, the slider 62) to be engagedwith the second engagement portion of the main unit 2. Thus, members areprovided also on the controller side, which members are to be engagedwith the engagement portions on the main unit 2 side are provided, andit is therefore possible to more firmly connect the main unit 2 and thecontrollers together.

In the embodiment described above, the main unit 2 selectively outputsthe execution result of the information process to either the display(the display 12) or a display device (the TV 6) separate from the mainunit 2 (see FIG. 24). This enables two different modes of use, includinga mode in which images are displayed on the display of the main unit 2,and another mode in which images are displayed on a display deviceseparate from the main unit 2.

In the embodiment described above, the engagement portion of the mainunit 2 is a rail member (referred to also as the first slide member)provided on a surface of the housing 11 of the main unit 2. Thecontroller includes a slider (referred to also as the second slidemember) which slidably and detachably engages with the rail member. Inthe embodiment described above, the rail member and the slider togetherform a slide mechanism (see FIG. 7). Thus, the slide mechanism allowsfor firm locking between the main unit 2 and the controllers and allowsfor easy attachment and detachment of the controllers.

In the embodiment described above, the rail member is formed so that theslider can slidably engage with the rail member in a predetermineddirection (specifically, the y-axis direction shown in FIG. 1), and sothat the slider can be inserted and detached into and from the railmember via one end thereof in the predetermined direction (see FIG. 2).Thus, it is possible to easily attach and detach controllers to and fromthe main unit 2 via the end.

Moreover, in the embodiment described above, the rail member is providedso as to extend in the up-down direction of the main unit 2 so that theslider can be inserted and detached into and from the rail member viathe upper end thereof (see FIG. 2). Thus, controllers can beconveniently attached and detached to and from the main unit 2 while themain unit 2 is placed upright. For example, in the present embodiment,controllers can be attached and detached to and from the main unit 2while the main unit 2 is attached to the cradle 5.

In the embodiment described above, the slide member of the main unit 2is provided so as to extend generally over the entirety (e.g., so thatthe length of the slide member is at least one 80% or more of the lengthof the housing 11 of the main unit 2) of a surface of the housing 11 ofthe main unit 2 in a predetermined direction (specifically, the up-downdirection) (see FIG. 3). Thus, when a controller is attached to the mainunit 2, the controller is connected generally over the entirety of theaforementioned surface of the main unit 2, thereby allowing thecontroller to be firmly connected to the main unit 2.

In the embodiment described above, the first slide member of the mainunit 2 (i.e., the rail member) has a C-shaped cross section, and thesecond slide member of the controller (i.e., the slider) has a T-shapedcross section. Note that in other embodiments, the first slide member ofthe main unit 2 may have a T-shaped cross section, and the second slidemember of the controller may have a C-shaped cross section.

In the embodiment described above, the controller includes a terminal(e.g., the terminal 42 or 64) for communication with the main unit 2.The main unit 2 includes a terminal (i.e., the left-side terminal 17 orthe right-side terminal 21) provided on the housing 11 at such alocation that allows the terminal to be connected to a terminal of acontroller when the controller is attached to the main unit 2. Thus,when the controller is attached to the main unit 2, the terminals areconnected together, enabling wired communication.

In the embodiment described above, the information processing device 1can be said to be a game system capable of executing game applications.When at least the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 areremoved from the main unit 2 (in other words, when the two controllersare both removed from the main unit 2), the left controller 3 and theright controller 4 each transmit operation data representing operationsperformed on the left controller 3 and the right controller 4 to themain unit 2 via wireless communication. Thus, in the embodimentdescribed above, it is possible to provide a novel game system that canbe used with two controllers removed.

In the embodiment described above, the information processing device 1can be said to be a hand-held information processing device including amain section (i.e., the main unit 2) having a display (i.e., the display12), a first controller section (i.e., the left controller 3) and asecond controller section (i.e., the right controller 4) for performinga predetermined information process in response to an operationperformed on either the first controller section or the secondcontroller section. When the first controller section and the secondcontroller section are removed from the main section, the main unit 2performs a predetermined information process based on operation datarepresenting an operation performed on either the first controllersection or the second controller section, and displays the results ofthe information process on the display. Thus, in the embodimentdescribed above, it is possible to provide a novel informationprocessing device that can be used in a mode in which two controllersections are removed.

In the above description, the first controller section and the secondcontroller section are arranged so that when the first controllersection is attached to the main section, a user (i.e., the user holdingthe information processing device) can operate the first controllersection with one hand and operate the second controller section with theother hand (see FIG. 14). Thus, it is possible to provide a novelinformation processing device that can be used both in a mode in whichthe controller sections are attached to the main section and in a modein which the controller sections are removed from the main section.

The information processing system of the present embodiment includes themain unit 2, and controllers (specifically, the left controller 3 andthe right controller 4; referred to also as controller devices) that areconfigured to be removably attached to the main unit 2. The main unit 2includes the display 12 (referred to also as the display). Whencontrollers are attached to the main unit 2, the main unit 2 candisplay, on the display 12, images that are obtained based on operationsperformed on the controllers. When the controllers are removed from themain unit 2, the main unit 2 can display, on an external display device(specifically, the TV 6) separate from the main unit 2, images that areobtained based on operations performed on the controllers. Note that inthe above description, there may be one controller that can be attachedto the main unit or there may be a plurality of controllers that can beattached to the main unit.

As described above, the information processing device 1 can be used bothin a mode in which controllers are attached to the main unit 2 and in amode in which the controllers are removed from the main unit. Thus,since a plurality of modes of use are realized with a single informationprocessing device 1, the information processing device 1 can be used ina wider variety of manners. As described above, when the controllers areremoved from the main unit 2, an external display device can be used asthe display device. Thus, a user can provide, as the external displaydevice, a display device having a larger screen size than the display12, so that it is possible to display the images on a larger screen.

In the embodiment described above, the information processing system cancommunicate with the TV 6, and further includes the cradle 5 (referredto also as an add-on device) to and from which the main unit 2 can beattached and detached. The main unit 2 detects the attachment of themain unit 2 to the cradle 5, and determines whether the images obtainedbased on operations performed on the controllers is displayed on thedisplay 12 or displayed on the TV 6 based at least on the detectionresults (step S21, S25, S29). Thus, the main unit 2 can determine theimage display output based on whether or not the main unit 2 is attachedto the cradle 5.

Note that in the above description, there is no particular limitation onthe method for determining the image display output. As in theembodiment described above, the main unit 2 may select the TV 6 as theimage display output at least on the condition that the main unit 2 isattached to the cradle 5. In other embodiments, the main unit 2 mayselect the TV 6 as the image display output when the main unit 2 isattached to the cradle 5. That is, the main unit 2 may output the imagesto the TV 6 via the cradle 5 in response to the attachment of the mainunit 2 to the cradle 5.

In other embodiments, the main unit 2 may be capable of communicatingdirectly with the TV 6. For example, the main unit 2 and the TV 6 may becapable of communicating with each other in wireless communication. Alsoin such a case, as in the embodiment described above, the main unit 2may determine the image display output based on the attached state ofthe main unit 2 to the cradle 5.

The add-on device (e.g., the cradle) may be any add-on device to andfrom which the main unit 2 can be attached and detached. The add-ondevice may or may not have the function of charging the main unit 2, asin the present embodiment.

In the embodiment described above, the cradle 5 is enabled tocommunicate with the main unit 2 at least on the condition that the mainunit 2 is attached thereto. If the main unit 2 has determined to displaythe images based on operations performed on the controllers on the TV 6,the main unit 2 outputs the images to the TV 6 via the cradle 5. Thus,the main unit 2 can display the images on the TV 6 by outputting theimages to the TV 6 via the cradle 5. Therefore, the main unit 2 does notneed to communicate with the TV 6, thereby simplifying the configurationof the main unit 2.

The information processing system of the embodiment described aboveincludes the main unit 2, the left controller 3 (referred to also as thefirst controller device), the right controller 4 (referred to also asthe second controller device), and an accessory (e.g., the extensiongrip 210 or the attachment 220). The left controller 3 is configured tobe removably attached to the main unit 2 or the accessory. The rightcontroller 4 is configured to be removably attached to the main unit 2or the accessory. The main unit 2 includes the display 12 (referred toalso as the display), and displays, on the display 12, the executionresult of a predetermined information process based on operationsperformed on the left controller 3 and the right controller 4. The leftcontroller 3 and the right controller 4 can be attached to the accessoryat the same time (see FIG. 31). Thus, by using the accessory, a user canhold the two controllers 3 and 4, removed from the main unit 2, as anintegral unit. That is, it is possible to improve the controllability ofthe controllers when removed from the main unit 2.

In the embodiment described above, the left controller 3 is attached tothe accessory on the left side of the center of the accessory, and theright controller 4 is attached to the accessory on the right side of thecenter of the accessory (see FIG. 31, FIG. 32). Thus, a user can operatethe left controller 3 attached to the accessory with the left hand, andoperate the right controller 4 attached to the accessory with the righthand. That is, a user can operate the controllers in a similar fashionto that when the controllers are not attached to the accessory, therebyproviding an accessory having a good controllability.

In the embodiment described above, the accessory includes a first gripportion (i.e., the left grip portion 212) provided on the left side anda second grip portion (i.e., the right grip portion 213) provided on theright side. Then, a user can operate the controllers while holding thegrip portions respectively with the left hand and the right hand,thereby providing an accessory having a good controllability.

In the embodiment described above, the first grip portion is provided onthe left side of the area where the left controller 3 is attached. Thesecond grip portion is provided on the right side of the area where theright controller 4 is attached (see FIG. 31). Therefore, by holding thegrip portions, a user can easily operate the controllers 3 and 4attached to the accessory.

According to the embodiment described above and variations thereof,there is provided an accessory to which a first controller device and asecond controller device are removably attachable, the accessoryincluding:

a first slide member configured for engaging with a slide member of thefirst controller device;

a second slide member configured for engaging with a slide member of thesecond controller device;

a first grip portion on a first side of a main part of the accessorywith respect to a predetermined direction; and

a second grip portion on a second side of the main part of the accessorywith respect to the predetermined direction.

The first slide member may include a first engagement hole configuredfor engaging with a projection of the first controller device. Thesecond slide member may include a second engagement hole configured forengaging with a projection of the second controller device.

The first slide member may be configured to allow the first controllerdevice to be attached to the accessory on the first side of a center ofthe accessory with respect to the predetermined direction. The secondslide member may be configured to allow the second controller device tobe attached to the accessory on the second side of the center of theaccessory with respect to the predetermined direction.

The first grip portion may be on the first side, with respect to thepredetermined direction, of an area where the first controller device isattached to the accessory. The second grip portion may be on the secondside, with respect to the predetermined direction, of an area where thesecond controller device is attached to the accessory.

The accessory may further include:

a first connection terminal at a position allowing the first connectionterminal to be connected to a terminal of the first controller deviceattached to the accessory; and

a second connection terminal at a position allowing the secondconnection terminal to be connected to a terminal of the secondcontroller device attached to the accessory.

The accessory may further include:

a power supply terminal; and

a charging unit configured to use power supplied to the accessorythrough the power supply terminal to charge the first controller devicethrough the first connection terminal and charge the second controllerdevice through the second connection terminal.

According to the embodiment described above and variations thereof,there is provided an accessory to which at least one controller deviceis removably attachable, the accessory including:

a slide member configured for engaging with a slide member of thecontroller device;

a connection terminal at a position allowing the connection terminal tobe connected to a terminal of the controller device attached to theaccessory;

a power supply terminal; and

a charging unit configured to use power supplied to the accessorythrough the power supply terminal to charge the controller devicethrough the connection terminal.

According to the embodiment described above and variations thereof,there is provided a game controller configured which is removablyattachable to a main unit of a game device, the game controllerincluding:

an operation section;

a slide member configured for slidably and detachably engaging with arail member of the main unit; and

a projection on the slide member, the projection being configured toengage with the rail member of the main unit when the game controller isattached to the main unit, thereby locking the game controller to themain unit.

The game controller may further include a release mechanism configuredto retract the projection into the slide member in response to anoperation by a user, thereby releasing the locking of the gamecontroller to the main unit.

The release mechanism may include a user-actuable button.

The projection may be configured to be biased from an inside toward anoutside of the slide member. When the game controller is locked to themain unit by virtue of the projection, application of a force to slidethe game controller releases the lock between the game controller andthe main unit.

The slide member may be configured for insertion into the rail member ofthe main unit downwardly from an upper end of the rail member. The gamecontroller may further include a terminal below the projection on theslide member, the terminal being configured for electrically connectingto a terminal of the main unit.

According to the embodiment described above and variations thereof,there is provided a game controller which is removably attachable to amain unit of a game device, the game controller including:

a slide member configured for slidably and removably engaging with arail member of the main unit; and

a first operation section and/or a light-emitting portion on a surfaceof the slide member, the surface being faced to the main unit when thegame controller is attached to the main unit.

The first operation section may be at a position recessed relative tothe surface.

the first operation section is configured so as not to protrude past thesurface.

A plurality of the first operation sections may be on the surface.

The first operation section may include a first button on a first sideof a center of the slide member with respect to a slide direction and asecond button on a second side of the center of the slide member withrespect to the slide direction.

A plurality of light-emitting portions may be on the surface.

The game controller may further include:

a housing having a primary surface and a side surface, the slide memberbeing on the side surface; and

a second operation section on the primary surface of the housing.

According to the embodiment described above and variations thereof,there is provided a game controller including:

a housing having a shape elongated in a predetermined direction, thehousing having a primary surface, at least one first side surfaceextending in the predetermined direction, and at least one second sidesurface different from the at least one first side surface;

a directional input section on the primary surface of the housing;

a first operation section and a second operation section on one of theat least one first side surface, wherein the first operation sections ison one side of a center of the first side surface with respect to thepredetermined direction and the second operation sections is on theother side of the center of the first side surface with respect to thepredetermined direction; and

a third operation section and a fourth operation section on a cornerportion at one end of one of the at least one second side surface awayfrom the first side surface on which the first operation section and thesecond operation section are.

the housing shape may be elongated in an up-down direction. The firstoperation section and the second operation section may be on a rightside surface of the housing, the first operation sections being on anupper side of a center of the right side surface with respect to theup-down direction and the second operation sections being on a lowerside of the center of the right side surface with respect to the up-downdirection. The third operation section and the fourth operation sectionmay be on a corner portion between a left side surface and an upper sidesurface of the housing.

The housing may have a shape elongated in an up-down direction. Thefirst operation section and the second operation section may be on aleft side surface of the housing, the first operation sections being onan upper side of a center of the left side surface with respect to theup-down direction and the second operation sections being on a lowerside of the center of the left side surface with respect to the up-downdirection. The third operation section and the fourth operation sectionmay be on a corner portion between a right side surface and an upperside surface of the housing.

The housing may have a rounded shape in the corner portion on which thethird operation section and the fourth operation section are. The thirdoperation section and the fourth operation section may each have arounded shape in conformity with the rounded shape of the housing.

The fourth operation section may be on a rear side of the thirdoperation section with respect to a front-rear direction definedperpendicular to the primary surface of the housing.

The fourth operation section may be configured so as to project past areverse surface of the housing.

According to the embodiment described above and variations thereof,there is provided a game controller including:

a housing having a shape elongated in a predetermined direction;

a directional input section on a primary surface of the housing;

a first operation section on a first side surface of the housing at sucha position allowing operation by an index finger of a user, when thehousing is held in a portrait position in one hand of the user so as toallow operation of the directional input section by a thumb; and

a second operation section and a third operation section on a secondside surface of the housing at such positions allowing operation of thesecond operation section and the third operation section respectively bya left and a right index finger of the user, when the housing is held ina landscape position by both hands of the user so as to allow operationof the directional input section by a thumb.

According to the embodiment described above and variations thereof,there is provided a game controller capable of wireless communication,the game controller including:

a housing shape is elongated in a predetermined direction;

a first operation section on a primary surface of the housing;

a second operation section and a third operation section on a sidesurface of the housing extending along the predetermined direction; and

a pairing button between the second operation section and the thirdoperation section for performing a wireless communication-relatedsetting process.

The second operation section, the third operation section and thepairing button may be configured so as not to protrude past the sidesurface.

According to the embodiment described above and variations thereof,there is provided a game controller comprising:

a housing;

a rail along a side surface of the housing, the rail having a T-shapedcross-section including a stem extending perpendicular to the sidesurface and a crossbar extending perpendicular to the stem; and one ormore game control buttons on the rail.

The one or more game control buttons may be on a surface of thecrossbar.

The game controller may further comprise one or more lights on the rail.

The one or more lights may be on a surface of the crossbar.

The one or more game control buttons may include a first button and asecond button. The one or more lights may be between the first buttonand the second button.

The game controller may further comprise an electrical connector on therail.

According to the embodiment described above and variations thereof,there is provided an information processing apparatus comprising:

a housing;

a display on a front surface of the housing;

processing circuitry configured to generate images for the display;

a first channel formed in and extending in a lengthwise direction alonga first side surface of the housing;

a second channel formed in and extending in a lengthwise direction alonga second side surface of the housing opposite to the first side of thehousing;

a first electrical connector in the first channel; and

a second electrical connector in the second channel.

According to the embodiment described above and variations thereof,there is provided a game controller comprising:

a housing;

a rail on a side surface of the housing, the rail having a T-shapedcross-section including a stem extending perpendicular to the sidesurface and a crossbar extending perpendicular to the stem; and anelectrical connector on the rail.

The electrical connector may be on a surface of the crossbar.

According to the embodiment described above and variations thereof,there is provided a game controller comprising:

a housing;

a rail located on a side surface of the housing, the rail having aT-shaped cross-section including a stem extending perpendicular to theside surface and a crossbar extending perpendicular to the stem; and

a retractable projection on the rail.

The retractable projection may be on a surface of the crossbar.

The embodiment described above is applicable to, for example, aninformation processing device such as a game device and an informationprocessing system such as a game system, with the aim of providing aninformation processing device that can be used in different modes.

While certain example systems, methods, devices and apparatuses havebeen described herein, it is to be understood that the appended claimsare not to be limited to the systems, methods, devices and apparatusesdisclosed, but on the contrary, are intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A game system comprising: a computer devicecomprising a housing, a display on a front of the housing, andprocessing circuitry configured to generate images for a game; and firstand second controllers, each of the first and second controllersincluding a first side configured for detachable attachment to arespective one of first and second different sides of the housing of thecomputer device, the first side of each of the first and secondcontrollers facing the first and second sides, respectively, of thehousing of the computer device when the first and second controllers areattached to the computer device and the first side of each of the firstand second controllers comprising a control button disposed thereonconfigured to receive game control inputs, wherein the computer deviceis configured to receive signals from the first and second controllersboth when the first and second controllers are attached to the computerdevice and when the first and second controllers are detached from thecomputer device.
 2. The game system according to claim 1, wherein thefirst and second different sides of the housing of the computer deviceare opposed first and second sides.
 3. The game system according toclaim 1, wherein the computer device is configured to receive signalsfrom the first and second controllers via wired connections when thefirst and second controllers are attached to the computer device and toreceive signals from the first and second controllers via wirelessconnections when the first and second controllers are detached from thecomputer device.
 4. The game system according to claim 3, wherein thewireless connection comprises a Bluetooth connection.
 5. The game systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the first and second controllers havedifferent shapes.
 6. The game system according to claim 1, wherein thefirst and second controllers each include the same two or more types ofinput devices disposed in different arrangements on respective fronts ofhousings thereof.
 7. The game system according to claim 6, wherein thetwo or more types of input devices comprise buttons.
 8. The game systemaccording to claim 6, wherein the two or more types of input devicescomprise an analog stick.
 9. The game system according to claim 1,wherein the first sides of the first and second controllers are eachconfigured for slidable detachable attachment to the first and secondsides of the housing of the computer device.
 10. The game systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the computer device further comprises afirst channel formed in and extending in a lengthwise direction alongthe first side of the housing and a second channel formed in andextending in a lengthwise direction along the second side of thehousing.
 11. The game system according to claim 10, wherein each of therespective first and second controllers includes a rail along the firstside thereof configured for slidable engagement with one of the channelsformed in the housing of the computer device, the rail having a T-shapedcross-section including a stem extending perpendicular to the first sideand a crossbar extending perpendicular to the stem.
 12. An informationprocessing system, comprising: a computer device comprising a housing, adisplay on a front of the housing, and processing circuitry configuredto generate images; and first and second controllers each configured fordetachable attachment to a respective one of first and second differentsides of the housing of the computer device, wherein the computer deviceis configured to receive signals from the first and second controllersboth when the first and second controllers are attached to the computerdevice and when the first and second controllers are detached from thecomputer device, wherein the computer device further comprises a firstchannel formed in and extending in a lengthwise direction along thefirst side of the housing and a second channel formed in and extendingin a lengthwise direction along the second side of the housing, whereineach of the respective first and second controllers includes a railalong the first side thereof configured for slidable engagement with oneof the channels formed in the housing of the computer device, the railhaving a T-shaped cross-section including a stem extending perpendicularto the first side and a crossbar extending perpendicular to the stem,and wherein each of the respective first and second controllers furthercomprise one or more game control buttons on the rail.
 13. Theinformation processing system according to claim 12, wherein the one ormore game control buttons are on a surface of the crossbar.
 14. Theinformation processing system according to claim 12, further comprising:an electrical connector on the rail.
 15. The information processingsystem according to claim 14, wherein the electrical connector and theone or more game control buttons are on a same surface of the crossbar.16. The information processing system according to claim 12, furthercomprising one or more lights on the rail.
 17. The informationprocessing system according to claim 16, wherein the one or more lightsare on a surface of the crossbar.
 18. The information processing systemaccording to claim 17, wherein the one or more game control buttonsinclude a first button and a second button, and the one or more lightsare between the first button and the second button.
 19. A game systemcomprising: a computer device comprising a housing, a display on a frontof the housing, and processing circuitry configured to generate imagesfor a game for the display; and first and second controllers, each ofthe first and second controllers including a first side configured fordetachable attachment to a respective one of first and second differentsides of the housing of the computer device, the first side of each ofthe first and second controllers comprising a control button disposedthereon configured to receive game control inputs, wherein when thefirst and second controllers are attached to the respective one of thefirst and second sides of the housing of the computer device the controlbutton of the first and second controllers are inaccessible, and,wherein the processing circuitry is configured to generate the imagesusing signals from first and second controllers when the first andsecond controllers are attached to the computer device and to generatethe images using signals from the first and second controllers when thefirst and second controllers are detached from the computer device. 20.The game system according to claim 19, wherein the first and secondsides of the housing of the computer device comprise first and secondopposed sides.
 21. The game system according to claim 19, wherein thefirst and second controllers have different shapes.
 22. The game systemaccording to claim 19, wherein the first and second controllers eachinclude the same two or more types of input devices disposed indifferent arrangements on respective fronts of housings thereof.
 23. Thegame system according to claim 22, wherein the two or more types ofinput devices comprise buttons.
 24. The game system according to claim22, wherein the two or more types of input devices comprise an analogstick.
 25. The game system according to claim 19, wherein the first andsecond controllers are each configured for slidable detachableattachment to the first and second sides of the housing of the computerdevice.
 26. The game system according to claim 19, wherein signalsbetween the computer device and the first and second controllers arecommunicated via wired connections when the first and second controllersare attached to the computer device and signals between the computerdevice and the first and second controllers are communicated viawireless connections when the first and second controllers are detachedfrom the computer device.
 27. A method of operating a game systemcomprising a computer device including a built-in display for displayingimages for a game and first and second controllers, the methodcomprising: operating the game system in a first mode by respectivelyattaching first sides of the first and second controllers to first andsecond different sides of a housing of the computer device, the firstside of each of the first and second controllers facing the first andsecond sides, respectively, of the housing of the computer device whenthe first and second controllers are attached to the computer device,wherein, in the first mode, signals are communicated between the firstand second controllers and the computer device via wired connections;and operating the game system in a second mode by detaching the firstand second controllers from the first and second sides of the housing ofthe computer device, wherein, in the second mode, signals arecommunicated between the first and second controllers and the computerdevice via wireless connections, wherein the signals communicatedbetween the first and second controllers and the computer device in thesecond mode include signals from each of the respective first and secondcontrollers based on operation of a control button disposed on the firstside thereof.
 28. The method according to claim 27, wherein operatingthe game system in the first mode comprises slidably attaching the firstand second controllers to the first and second sides of the housing ofthe computer device and operating the game system in the second modecomprises slidably detaching the first and second controllers from thefirst and second sides of the housing of the computer device.
 29. Themethod according to claim 27, further comprising: executing a gameprogram by the computer device in the second mode of the game system,wherein the displayed images are based on input respectively supplied tothe first and second controllers by different hands of the same gameplayer.
 30. The method according to claim 27, further comprising:executing a game program by the computer device in the second mode ofthe game system, wherein the displayed images are based on inputrespectively supplied to the first and second controllers by twodifferent game players.
 31. The method according to claim 27, furthercomprising: executing a game program by the computer device in the firstmode of the game system, wherein the displayed images are based oninputs respectively supplied to the first and second controllers bydifferent hands of the same game player.
 32. A controller for use with agame system comprising a computer device including a housing, a displayon a front of the housing, and processing circuitry configured togenerate game images for the display, the controller comprising: ahousing having a first side configured for detachable attachment to aside of the housing of the computer device, the first side of thehousing of the controller facing the side of the housing of the computerdevice when the controller is attached to the computer device; and acontrol button disposed on the first side of the housing of thecontroller so as to be accessible for receiving input supplied thereto,for use by the processing circuitry in generating the images fordisplay, while the controller is detached from the computer device,wherein the controller is configured to provide signals to the computerdevice both when the controller is attached to the computer device andwhen the controller is detached from the computer device.